Execution of Continuous Improvement Practices in Spanish and Pakistani Industry: A Comparative Analysis

The consistent rise in fame of TQM since last two decades has established a profound impact on business strategies today. Businesses are depending on continuous improvement (CI) and total quality management (TQM) as a means by which they can maintain a competitive edge. Spanish and Pakistani industries both have been engaged in continuous improvement practices with different implementation strategies and outcomes. In experience and deployment of CI practices, Spanish industry has surely outclassed Pakistani industry. This paper analyzes the outcomes and comparisons of continuous improvement practices carried out in Spanish and Pakistani manufacturing firms. The results come from an empirical study carried out on a sample size of 105 Spanish and 50 Pakistani ISO 9000:2000 certified companies. Same results of questionnaires being part of a Global study used in Spain and Pakistan industry (survey 2004, 2005 respectively) have been followed. Aspects studied here include difference of degree of execution of continuous improvement practices, motivational factors, internal and external barriers towards successful implementation and usage of problem finding and solving TQM tools between these two industries. Finally some conclusions and recommendations about continuous improvement practices, especially oriented to Pakistani SME´s are presented