Track: Total Quality Management

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of Industry 4.0 adoption and operational performance improvement due to apply Total Quality Management (TQM) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). The analyzed sample was collected from 147 Brazilian manufacturers which have been practiced TQM and TPM for at least 10 years and during the past few years have started to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies. Multivariate data analysis was applied into the collected data in order to examine such relationships. Our statistical tests indicate that both TQM and TPM practices act as mediators for the relationship between Industry 4.0 and operational performance improvement. Hence, we mention that the companies which decide to join Industry 4.0 must have properly addressed these practices to entirely benefit from the advances in information and communication systems. This study contributes to threefold. First, it provides evidence to underpin theoretical indications previously argued but lack empirical validation. Second, the identification of relationship in an emerging economy context allows to understand the specific benefits or challenges that Industry 4.0 adoption. Third, comprehending how these approaches interact to help managers to avoid difficulties and set the suitable expectations along their implementation.