1 Abstract Number: 007-0136 Effect of Total Quality Management and Just-In-Time practices on Competitive Performance- Empirical Evidence

2 This paper presents results of an empirical analysis of TQM and JIT practices and their impacts on competitive performance in manufacturing plants. This study explores the mutual supportive relationship between TQM and JIT practices, which lead to a synergy effect on competitive performance in manufacturing plants. Ten measurement scales were constructed to describe TQM and JIT. The impacts of TQM and JIT practices on competitive performance indexes in term of quality, cost, delivery, and flexibility were tested by regression analysis. The study concludes that simultaneous implementation of TQM and JIT practices will result in significantly higher competitive performance level than implementation of practices from only one of TQM or JIT. The findings support the integrated approach of joint implementation of TQM and JIT to attain excellent quality, cost, delivery, and flexibility, which will help manufacturing firm to improve the competitive position