To read this content please select one of the options below:

Impact of quality management practices on change readiness due to new quality implementations

Meryem Uluskan (Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey)
John K. McCreery (North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)
Lori Rothenberg (Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

ISSN: 2040-4166

Article publication date: 4 July 2018

Issue publication date: 7 August 2018

1441

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

Related articles