Effective TQM implementation through supplier partnerships: A benchmarkingstudy of advanced manufacturing technology systems

Total Quality Management is both,an internal and external concept. Indeed, the idea of customer-supplier chain is real when it comes to managing suppl iers and the implications,of the former can have on the competitiveness of manufacturing organisations. The implementation of technological innovation based on Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) affects structural, organ isational and methodological aspects of business operations. Technology is related to competencies, which in turn provide capability of competitivenes s. This paper discusses the context of customer/supplier relationships base d on AMT implementation It is the result of a benchmarking study of 30 orga nisations represented by ten suppliers and twenty users of AMT systems. By closely scrutinising the various modes of interaction during the implementa tion of AMI options, various key factors have been identified and these are thought to be highly influenced in the degree of success or otherwise, dur ing the implementation of AMI. In all, seven different types of innovations were scrutinised: Plastics Injection Moulding Machines. CNC Machines Computerised Information Systems Flexible Manufacturing Systems Material Handling and Supply CADCAM Automated Control Systems The paper concludes by presenting a discussion on the critical factors for developing effective;customer-supplier partnerships for implementation and management of technological innovation systems and, these are found to be h eavily based on quality principles. Significance: The implications of this research paper are wide and very enc ompassing as far as the adoption of sophisticated technological systems are concerned. It is evidently clear that suppliers generally speaking, impact very significantly on business success, more so: in the case of new techno logy implementation.