The multidimensionality of TQM practices in determining quality and innovation performance — an empirical examination

This paper examines the multidimensionality of TQM in association with organizational performance. The primary proposition examined in this study is that TQM embodies two different models of practices, mechanistic and organic, with each showing a different role in the association with two different types of performance, quality and innovation. Using empirical data gathered from 194 middle/senior managers in Australian firms, the findings support the proposition in pairing the mechanistic elements of TQM with quality performance and the organic elements with innovation performance. Further results, however, fail to support the proposition that organizations need to configure TQM practices in different ways for achieving different type of performance.