Abstract
Techno-innovation has been competitive edge for most manufacturing companies. Rapid advancement in technologyinnovation
geared-up with global mega-competition has resulted in unprecedented economic growth where TQM has
played major role. Despite slow economic growth in developing countries caused by incapability to develop their own
technology, failure to make wise decision in adopting competent technology, and inability to properly utilize adopted
technologies; tremendous developments are seen in some. Examples can be Indian companies that won the prestigious
Deming Prize and Japan Quality Medal after adopting necessary technologies from Japan under TQM. We have addressed
process techno-innovation by 4M (Man, Machine, Method, Material) and 1E (working condition-corporate culture)
approach. Results indicate that TQM affects process techno-innovation by primary effect on human resource and working
condition/corporate culture. Three stage gates vis-à-vis: process understanding, process improvement and technology
learning, and process techno-innovation are the mechanisms through which TQM promotes process techno-innovation in
developing countries.
Keywords: developing countries; process; techno-innovation; TQM; corporate culture.