| dc.description.abstract | Entrepreneurship plays an important role in
today�s dynamic business world as a driver of innovation
by creating new products, services and new organizations.
One of the key factors of achieving organizational success
is the application of Total Quality Management (TQM). In
particular, this study examines; (i) what entrepreneurial
characteristics support the implementation of TQM best
practices and (ii) how entrepreneurs implement TQM
best practices. The study examines the proposed research
objectives by referring to the case organization of Lanka
Harness Limited, an automobile seatbelt sensor switches
and harness manufacturer for leading automobile brands.
The organization adheres to strict quality standards where
the defect tolerance rate is one part per million (1 ppm)
outputs. An interpretivist, inductive research approach
was used to explore the said research objectives using
data collected by conducting semi structured interviews
with Mr. Rohan Pallewatte the proprietor of the said
organisation and ten employees using purposive sampling.
The results from interviews showed Mr. Pallewatte�s
perseverance, leadership, empathy, trust, integrity,
passion, grit, kindness, subject knowledge and other
entrepreneurial characteristics support the implementation
of TQM best practices. Training, inculcating a quality
culture, trust culture coupled with Toyota Production
Quality Management System resulting a unique Lanka
Harness System, adopting lean manufacturing techniques
developed by Japanese quality systems were recognized as
how entrepreneurs implement TQM best practices. The
study concludes with a discussion of the insights generated
by the findings linking with theoretical knowledge and
directions for future research. | en_US |
