SUMMARY
The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between strategic orientation of the company, quality management practices and innovative performance in the context of companies in the Brazilian manufacturing industry. The research is quantitative, and was applied to the survey strategy with a sample of 65 companies, with use of a questionnaire, sent by email. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. It was found that the practices of TQM Hard have greater influence on the innovation performance, in particular on innovation by process. The differentiation strategy has the greatest impact on innovation than the strategy of leadership in costs. At the same time, it is more related to the adoption of practices of TQM Hard and Soft. In conclusion, it was found that in the context of the investigated companies, quality management is applied as a differentiation of bases, being treated as a source of competitive advantage.