Title: A comparative study of quality management practices between Vietnamese and Japanese manufacturing plants

Authors: Minh Hue Nguyen; Phan Chi Anh; Yoshiki Matsui

Addresses: Yokohama National University, 79-4 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, 2408501, Japan; University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, 59C Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ' University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, E4, 144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam ' The Open University of Japan, 2 Chome-11 Wakaba, Mihama Ward, Chiba, 261-8586, Japan; Yokohama National University, 79-4 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, 2408501, Japan

Abstract: This study aims to investigate impact of quality management practices on operational capabilities in Vietnamese and Japanese manufacturers, and then, compare the impact between two countries. Statistical techniques are applied to analyse data collected from 25 Vietnamese and 22 Japanese manufacturing plants through an international joint research called high performance manufacturing (HPM) - round 4 in 2014-2015. Analytical results indicate positive impact from supplier involvement in quality improvement and process control but negative impact from feedback and continuous improvement and learning on operational capabilities. The impacts of supplier involvement in quality improvement and feedback practices are significantly different between Japanese and Vietnamese manufacturing companies. The results provide empirical evidence on the implementation quality management practices in different countries, and offer some insights into performance improvement in both developed and developing countries.

Keywords: quality management; operational capability; manufacturing company; Vietnam; Japan; comparative study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2021.115258

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2021 Vol.33 No.1, pp.127 - 156

Received: 20 Sep 2019
Accepted: 03 Dec 2019
Published online: 26 May 2021 *

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