The influence of top management commitment, process quality management and quality design on new product performance: A case of Malaysian manufacturers

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship of three quality orientation attributes: top management commitment, process quality management and quality design with new product performance of Malaysian manufacturing firms. Hypotheses concerning the relationships of these quality orientation attribute variables with new product performance were posited and tested. Data were collected using a mail questionnaire survey. The study employed a simple random sampling procedure in selecting the organisations for inclusion in the sample. Factor analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple regression methods of data analysis were utilised for hypotheses testing. The results signified that quality orientation attribute variables jointly explained 33.2% of the variance in new product performance. Three variables: top management commitment, continuous improvement process and quality tools were found to have a statistically significant association with new product performance. The findings of this study provide crucial information from the perspective of a developing country on the impact of quality orientation practices on new product performance.

Keywords:

• quality orientation
• new product performance
• Malaysian manufacturers