The moderating influence of product orientation on coordination mechanisms in total quality management
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
ISSN: 0265-671X
Article publication date: 18 May 2012
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to verify whether product orientation (make‐to‐order versus make‐to‐stock) affects how coordination mechanisms combine to influence quality performance in total quality management (TQM).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used survey response data from a large sample of single industry respondents (auto supplier industry) to test the research model.
Findings
The study found support for the idea that organizational and inter‐organizational coordination mechanisms influence product and process quality performance. Moreover, significance of many of these linkages varied according to whether the product orientation was make‐to‐order or make‐to‐stock. The study is one of the first to suggest that the influence of select coordination factors on performance can vary according to product orientation.
Research limitations/implications
The study suggests that plant managers may pursue different approaches to implement select coordination factors (not all) according to whether their product focus is make‐to‐stock or make‐to‐order.
Practical implications
The research isolates those select coordination mechanisms which have significantly different performance effects in one product orientation environment (make‐to‐order) versus another (make‐to‐stock). Managers interested in TQM implementation can gain insights into those select coordination mechanisms identified in this study that could positively enhance product quality and process quality performance.
Originality/value
To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study that has examined the contextual influence of product orientation on the relationships between select coordination mechanisms in TQM implementation and their impact on process and product quality.
Keywords
Citation
Jayaram, J., Ahire, S., Nicolae, M. and Ataseven, C. (2012), "The moderating influence of product orientation on coordination mechanisms in total quality management", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 29 No. 5, pp. 531-559. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656711211230517
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited