Implications of TQM in firm’s innovation capability
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
ISSN: 0265-671X
Article publication date: 21 October 2019
Issue publication date: 14 January 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Over the last few decades, some researchers have analysed the role of total quality management (TQM) as a precursor of innovation. However, the relationship between TQM and organisational innovation remains unclear and contradictory. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework intended to clarify the complex effect that the implementation of a TQM system has on organisational innovation, where market orientation (MO) and knowledge management (KM) play a mediator role.
Design/methodology/approach
Data in this study come from a survey of 706 Spanish CEOs. The results were analysed employing structural equation modelling to determine how TQM, MO and KM influence innovation.
Findings
The results of the empirical study show that there is a curvilinear effect between TQM and organisational innovation. Both MO and KM perspectives play a mediator role between TQM and innovation.
Practical implications
Managers should be aware that management based on TQM help organisations not only to get higher quality but also to be market oriented and better manage their knowledge; what will help them to develop innovations.
Originality/value
This research sheds light on the question of the relationship between TQM and organisational innovation that has received mixed conclusions in the literature. There is evidence in this research that the relationship between TQM and innovation responds to a curvilinear relationship, where high levels of TQM favour a more than proportionate effect on the development of innovation. It also clarifies the mechanisms by which this effect is produced, with MO and KM as mediator variables.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad of the Spanish Government for financing the research project ECO2017-88987-R (MINECO/FEDER;UE), co-financed from the European Union FEDER. Also, the authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from CajaMurcia Foundation.
Citation
Jiménez-Jiménez, D., Martínez-Costa, M. and Para-Gonzalez, L. (2020), "Implications of TQM in firm’s innovation capability", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 279-304. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-09-2018-0233
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited