Flexibility and quality management in manufacturing: an alternative approach

The purpose of this current research is to investigate the impact that implementing quality improvement (QI) processes has on manufacturing flexibility. First, we analyse whether firms that introduce QI processes better adapt their manufacturing flexibility level to the requirements of the environment. Second, we look at whether there are significant differences in this fit in terms of the manufacturing flexibility dimensions between firms that implement QI processes and those that do not. Third, we concentrate on finding out how QI processes intervene as a mediating mechanism in the relationship between manufacturing flexibility fit and performance. In order to do this, we have made a wide-ranging, transnational study within the framework of the European Union, using data from 417 European firms. The results reveal that firms with QI programs achieve higher levels of manufacturing flexibility, though with a worse fit to the requirements of the environment. This is due, not to a lack of flexibility but, rather, to an excess of it, which is not reflected in better performance.