Abstract:
Total Quality Management (TQM) is one of the key approaches towards realizing the goal of meeting customer
satisfaction, hence it is extensively adapted by organizations and, among them apparel industry occupies
a prominent position. This paper relates to a study conducted with the objective of identifying the most
accepted practicing principle of TQM amongst eight principles presented by ISO 9000 standard, in apparel
industry in Sri Lanka. Further, it investigated whether practice of TQM principles are significantly different
among small scale, medium scale and large scale garment factories as well as garment factories that have
won quality awards and that have not won quality awards. A structured questionnaire was used in gathering
data from sample of 35 garment factories. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA test and independent sample test
were used for data analysis purposes. Findings of the study revealed that leadership is the most accepted
practicing principle of TQM in apparel industry in Sri Lanka. A significant difference in practicing customer
focus, leadership, process approach, system approach to management, continual improvement and mutually
beneficial supplier relationships principles was identified among small scale, medium scale and large scale
garment factories. Similarly, a significant difference in practicing leadership, involvement of people, process
approach, system approach to management and continual improvement principles was identified among
garment factories that have won quality awards and that have not won quality awards.
