Total quality management as a strategy for competitive advantage for small and medium size enterprises in Kampala District, Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze the influence of Total Quality Management (TQM) on competitive advantage of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kampala District, Uganda. This study was undertaken using a questionnaire survey where SMEs in Kampala district contend to embrace TQM practices in their administration as a strategy for competitive advantage were interrogated. Out of 112 firms, 96 were investigated. Respondents comprised one manager and one employee in each of these SMEs. Reliability of all the variables was tested using Cronbach’s alpha (α). Reliability for particularly TQM was established to be at α=0.92. Results deduced that effective implementation of TQM is a potential strategy for competitive advantage to SMEs. Results established that there exists a correlation between total quality factors and competitive advantage. Results inferred from the questionnaire survey is that the small and medium scale enterprises in Kampala are trying cope with new quality management practices to increase the productivity. From the findings, the study recommends that SMEs should establish quality management systems and improve on their quality management programs to ensure effective TQM implementation and for the overall success of the company.