Context of TQM application for NPD in developing countries: An empirical study on Deming Prize Winners from India and Thailand

Developing countries are challenged with intense market competition and are yet to make significant stride in their business performance. Although Total Quality Management (TQM) and New Product Development (NPD) can play major role in this case, empirical research done in justifying TQM's applicability for NPD is limited. Hence, this research is dedicated to study the applicability, methodology, and effects (tangible and non-tangible) of TQM on NPD. The result shows that TQM is effectively used for the development of adaptive products through improvements on Production Technology, NPD system, Product Development, Production process, and Employee know-how. It is also found that TQM revolutionizes conventional R&D system in reducing development costs and time enhancing the innovation capabilities with limited financial commitment in the developing countries.