The purpose of this study is to explore empirically the correlation of quality practices and environmental performance and suggest its applicability as a model for integrating the two fields.

The manufacturing industry has become very competitive in today's global market environment. Many US companies are faced with the choice of keeping their manufacturing domestic or looking to low cost off-shore countries to take advantage of the labor costs differences. To gain an understanding of the state of manufacturing in China, a major focus in the manufacturing world today, this thesis was undertaken. This thesis presents the findings of research conducted in Guangdong Province, China in June - July, 2005. This research addressed customer focus, leadership and general manufacturing and quality knowledge and practices of small, medium and large sized companies in Guangdong Province, China. Customer focus and leadership are two of the eight fundamental principles of the ISO 9000:2000 family of standards. These two principles, customer focus and leadership, were selected for the foundational role they play in any organization. Companies that are customer focused and have good leadership principles and practices should tend to give quality a priority for the product/service they provide to their customers. The aim of this thesis was to determine if there is a significant difference in the way small, medium and large companies are aligned with these two fundamental principles. Data regarding customer focus, leadership, and general manufacturing and quality knowledge and practices was collected from 41 manufacturing companies in Guangdong Province, China through the use of a survey, interviews and observation. At the conclusion of this thesis, a summary of the findings regarding the aim of the thesis is presented along with a confirmation and questioning of previous research completed.