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A Survey of Total Quality Management in the Malaysian Small and Medium Sized Manufacturing Companies
Mohamad ReeduanMustapha, Mohd ShaladdinMuda, FauziahAbu Hasan

Abstract
This paper is to examine the concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) and the level of awareness and implementation in the Malaysian SMES in the manufacturing sector.The participants of this survey consisted of 32 SMEs in the Klang Valley that were selected through convenience sampling. Klang Valley was chosen since it is known as the hub of Malaysia SMEs business as almost 50 percent of Malaysia SMEs are located in this area. Personal visits and interviews are made to managers and they are requested to fill in questionnaires. Overall, a majority of the respondents (69 percent) have heard of TQM but only a few (31 percent) of the companies surveyed have implemented TQM. The paper concludes that while further research is needed to validate and explain the findings, TQM may play a valuable role in the operations of SMEs in the manufacturing sector.

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