Emotional intelligence and analytical skill as human capital factors influencing competitiveness through analysis of Toyota Kata, Kaizen and Quality 4.0: empirical study conducted during COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose

This study empirically tests a model of human capital (HC) factors affecting the organisational competitiveness (OC) of automotive parts suppliers in the Industry 4.0 framework, including concepts such as Toyota Kata (TK), Kaizen and Quality 4.0, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

An instrument was created to measure emotional intelligence (EI) and analytical skill (AS) as input variables and OC as the output variable. The instrument was distributed electronically to Tier 1 non-technical employees in Nuevo León and Querétaro, México. A total of 195 surveys were obtained. The instrument used stepwise multiple linear regression.

Findings

This study proposes a model to strengthen the OC of Tier 1 automotive parts supply industry from the perspective of HC factors. Furthermore, it is shown that EI and AS have a positive and significant impact on OC.

Practical implications

From an HC perspective, this study provides a useful basis to improve OC for researchers, industry experts and managers at different levels of the automotive industry, including the triple helix (academia, industry and the government).

Originality/value

No studies simultaneously test the relationship of EI and AS to OC; therefore, this study fills a gap in the literature. Furthermore, the study explored the literature on individual Kaizen (IK) and TK, leading to a contrast between the definitions of EI and AS. Finally, for EI, a reference to motivation was found in the IK. In the case of AS, an orientation to ability of problem solving was found in TK.

Citation

Ríos-Hernández, A., Mendoza-Gómez, J. and Valdez–de la Rosa, L.M. (2024), "Emotional intelligence and analytical skill as human capital factors influencing competitiveness through analysis of Toyota Kata, Kaizen and Quality 4.0: empirical study conducted during COVID-19", The TQM Journal, Vol. 36 No. 6, pp. 1402-1419. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-05-2023-0129