Creating competitive advantage through product quality dimensions in medium-sized manufacturing engineering firms in Tanzania

Luvanda, EK

Abstract

The aim of this research was to develop a framework that could be used to understand
how the creation of competitive advantage through product quality dimensions is
addressed in medium-sized engineering firms in Tanzania.
The important elements in the creation of competitive advantage through product
quality dimensions in medium sized engineering firms were identified through literature
review. The literature covered product quality, manufacturing strategy and strategic
management, from which the elements used in developing a theoretical framework were
identified. The key elements that were identified and used in the construction of the
theoretical framework were: identification of the important product quality dimensions,
analysis of internal and external environments, strategic relationships on the product
quality dimensions, firm's strategic choice, strategic benchmarking and leveraging,
product quality learning and adapting to the environments, monitoring competitive
advantage through product quality dimensions and renewing competitive advantage
through product quality dimensions.
A phenomenological research philosophy was followed in this research and a
qualitative research approach was chosen and justified. The case study research strategy
was used in this research. This was chosen to provide rich and deep insights on the
issues that were investigated. The data collected were analysed by pattern matching and
time series analysis and the findings from the four case studies were used to reconstruct
the developed framework and to provide some recommendations to the case study
organisations.
The research aim indicated above was achieved; a framework was developed. The main
contribution of this research was a developed framework that could be used to
understand how the creation of competitive advantage through product quality
dimensions is addressed in medium-sized engineering firms in Tanzania.

Citation

Luvanda, E. Creating competitive advantage through product quality dimensions in medium-sized manufacturing engineering firms in Tanzania. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2006