TQM, Culture, and Performance in UAE Manufacturing Firms

Many authors bare argued that the success of total quality management (TQM) implementation is largely dependent on corporate culture. This article investigates TQM practices, corporate culture, and performance in UAE manufacturing firms. Questionnaires containing the three topics were distributed to general managers, quality managers, operation managers, and other functional managers. Responses on TQM practices and corporate culture were factor analyzed. This resulted in four TQM dimensions and five culture dimensions. The extent of the implementation of the TQM dimension was determined. The relationship between TQM practices with quality and business performance was subsequently assessed. This study also assessed the culture dimensions shared among UAE manufacturing firms. The relationship between the dimensions of TQM practices and the dimensions of corporate culture was investigated. Finally, the combined effects of culture and TQM practices on performance were assessed.

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