Title: Neoteric quality improvement approach in resource constrained Indian service SMEs: a concept note

Authors: Rana Basu; Prabha Bhola; Pranab K. Dan

Addresses: Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Pin 721302, India ' Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Pin 721302, India ' Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Pin 721302, India

Abstract: The present study endeavours to observe and reconnoitre the improvement practices rooted amidst quality environs in Indian service SMEs milieu. A mixed method strategy combining qualitative and quantitative statistical techniques, analyses to expound on a conceptual model in the context of improvement implementation under major resource constrained situation, have been explicated in the recommended proposition. A neoteric improvement practice has been proposed in this work, built upon exploratory learning and analysis using OLS regression method. The pattern depicts three improvement zones viz., spasmodic, isochronous and continuous. This study recommends Indian service SMEs to adopt isochronous improvement which is not a continuous incremental procedure but is sufficiently effective with relatively lesser difficulty and with somewhat less rigor.

Keywords: quality; SMEs; spasmodic; isochronous; qualitative study; OLS regression; India; new improvement practice; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2017.085258

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2017 Vol.21 No.4, pp.516 - 531

Received: 08 Apr 2016
Accepted: 18 May 2016
Published online: 19 Jul 2017 *

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