Uncovering the myths of TQM in readymade garment sector of Pakistan: an interpretive structural modeling approach

Quality has always been center of gravity for superior competitive advantage. TQM has captured attention of both practitioners and academicians because it is an important management practice for improving performance. This research is aimed to provide insight of the challenges faced by readymade garment industry of Pakistan for implementation of TQM principles. In depth literature, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Matriced' Impacts Croise's Multiplication Appliquée a UN Classement (MICMAC) analyses have been employed to investigate the phenomena under study. Discourse of literature revealed that there are twenty challenges in implementation of TQM. Lack of employee trust in senior management is the most critical challenge to be addressed that occupies bottom of the model. Lack of formalized strategic plan for change and lack of leadership occupy highest position in the model hence attracts least attention. MICMAC analysis revealed that lack of consistency of purposes autonomous, lack of evaluation procedures and benchmark indices and obsolete technology are independent and all other challenges fall in linking quadrant. Whereas no such challenge is exclusively categorized as dependent, however, most of the linking factors have high degree of dependence as well. This study is useful for the organizations which are in process of implementing TQM practices.