The Quality Management Practices and Supply Chain Performance in Malaysian SMEs

Small and medium manufacturing businesses (SMEs) are now enhancing their operational performance by better managing their supply chains. To achieve better management, a firm must investigate several aspects, including supply chain management and quality management practices. The study aims to establish the relationship between various quality management practices, such as process management, continuous improvement, and leadership, and their impact on supply chain performance in selected SMEs in Malaysia. Primary sources, specifically questionnaires distributed to respondents via online Google Forms and printed copies, provided the data for this study. This study included a purposive sample of 40 respondents from specifically selected SMEs in Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan. The study found no statistically significant relationship between process management, continuous improvement, and leadership with regard to supply chain performance. This suggests that these aspects of quality management practices are not essential for enhancing supply chain performance. Further research is therefore suggested to look for other strategic management factors possible, such as business analytics, innovation, and talent management that might improve supply chain performance.