Impact of quality management practices on change readiness due to new quality implementations
International Journal of Lean Six Sigma
ISSN: 2040-4166
Article publication date: 4 July 2018
Issue publication date: 7 August 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Implementing new quality initiatives in organizations is challenging, as it requires managers and employees to adjust to new processes, methodologies and even mindsets. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between quality management (QM) practices and readiness for change due to implementing new quality initiatives such as lean, six sigma and to determine which dimensions of QM are more important to change efficacy and change commitment.
Design/methodology/approach
The issues are examined in this study through the analysis of survey data obtained from US textile and apparel industry managers by using factor analysis, stepwise regression to construct path model and structural equation modeling.
Findings
This study identifies change readiness measures which are specific for quality implementations and establishes two constructs, namely, change commitment and change efficacy. The results indicate that as good Employee Relations increase, the level of organizational change commitment increases. If employees are engaged and empowered to provide excellent quality, then it is more likely that they will be committed to change due to implementing future quality initiatives. Moreover, a direct relationship between Customer Relationship Management and change efficacy is found. Companies with a strong customer orientation are more able to implement the quality initiatives that matter to their markets.
Originality/value
This study is unique in investigating the empirical relationship between QM practices and the dimensions of readiness for change due to implementing new quality initiatives via data from various organizations. This study empirically contributes to the QM literature with change readiness antecedents in quality implementation setting.
Keywords
Citation
Uluskan, M., McCreery, J.K. and Rothenberg, L. (2018), "Impact of quality management practices on change readiness due to new quality implementations", International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 9 No. 3, pp. 351-373. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-05-2017-0049
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited