Process management and competitiveness in a quality perspective in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Bihar

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) industry is the backbone of Bihar's economic growth, providing employment, fostering innovation, and playing a key role in local development. Yet the competitiveness of SMEs is usually hindered by issues of process management, quality management, and resource maximization. The present study tries to discover the link between process management practices and the competitiveness of SMEs in Bihar from the perspective of quality management. Based on both qualitative and quantitative data gathered from SME owners, managers, and workers in major districts of Bihar, the study assesses the adoption of process standardization, quality assurance practices, and continuous improvement. It identifies major drivers and obstacles to quality-focused process management and measures how these drivers and obstacles affect productivity, customer satisfaction, and market performance. The research determines that SMEs adopting structured process management frameworks, like Total Quality Management (TQM) and lean practices, have greater competitiveness and flexibility within a dynamic business environment.