The relationship between quality management practices and their effects on quality outcomes

Recent research into quality management has examined the relationship between quality management and performance. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationships between quality management practices, and to examine the direct and indirect effects of these practices on quality outcomes by means of replication research. The paper uses a path analysis and a research model is tested using cross-section data collected from 106 certified firms in Spain. The findings support the relationships between quality management practices and the positive impact of these practices on quality outcomes. Evidence is also found confirming previous research showing that a firm could transfer the organizational forms and behaviours underlying quality management to other countries with similar cultures. However, as minor differences emerge, managers should consider the cultural issues. The contribution of the paper is that it provides empirical support for direct and indirect effects of quality management on performance in Spain compared to previous studies carried out in USA and Korea. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.