Meriem Khalfallah, Hajer Zorgati, Anis Ben Salem and Lassaad Lakhal
This paper tries to study the link among entrepreneurial orientation (EO), total quality management (TQM) and organizational performance as well as the mediating role of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper tries to study the link among entrepreneurial orientation (EO), total quality management (TQM) and organizational performance as well as the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation within this relation.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered from a survey administered for 205 Tunisian industrial firms. The evaluation of the research model was performed using structural equations modeling within AMOS software.
Findings
The results indicate firstly that TQM positively and directly impacts EO; secondly, that EO has a direct and positive effect on organizational performance; thirdly, TQM has no direct and significant effect on organizational performance. This relationship becomes significant when it is mediated by EO.
Research limitations/implications
The current study helps managers understand the mechanism of simultaneous adoption and development of TQM and EO. It also helps them understand how TQM practices support entrepreneurial orientation, and their role in ensuring organizational performance.
Originality/value
A particular feature of this study is the analysis of the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation in the relationship between TQM and organizational performance. This research also makes a unique contribution to the analysis of the direct effect of TQM on entrepreneurial orientation in industrial companies.
Details
Keywords
Meriem Khalfallah, Anis Ben Salem, Hajer Zorgati and Lassaad Lakhal
The purpose of this research is to analyze the reciprocal relation between total quality management (TQM) and innovation (product innovation and process innovation) and their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to analyze the reciprocal relation between total quality management (TQM) and innovation (product innovation and process innovation) and their impact on operational and financial performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were obtained from a survey of 205 manufacturing companies. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to evaluate the research model.
Findings
The results reveal that there is a reciprocal relationship between TQM and innovation. Moreover, the findings indicate a significant positive effect of product innovation and process innovation on operational performance and insignificant direct impact of TQM on operational performance. However, this effect is significant when it is mediated through product innovation and process innovation.
Research limitations/implications
This paper helps practitioners to understand how TQM practices support both product and process innovation and the role of the latter in promoting the implementation of TQM practices and ensuring operational performance.
Originality/value
This study presents an innovative approach since it is among the first research studies that provide empirical evidence to a reciprocal association between TQM and innovation. Additionally, this paper examines the dimensions studied in different aspects. It considered financial performance and operational performance, and with respect to innovation, this dimension was analyzed through two different perspectives, namely product innovation and process innovation. This study is also among the first and few research studies that have studied the mediating effect of innovation.