Title: Linking soft and hard total quality management practices: evidence from Jordan

Authors: Rawan Ali Saleh; Rateb J. Sweis; Firas I. Mahmoud Saleh; Adel Mohammed Sarea; Islam Mahmoud Sharaf Eldin; Desireen Nader Obeid

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, The University of Jordan, 11942, Amman, Jordan ' Department of Business Administration, The University of Jordan, 11942, Amman, Jordan ' Department of Business Administration, The University of Jordan, 11942, Amman, Jordan ' Department of Business Administration, Ahlyah University of Bahrain, Building 41, Road 18, Al-Hoora 310, P.O. Box 10878, Manama, Bahrain ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Zagazig University, 44519, Al Sharkia, Egypt ' Department of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, 11942, Amman, Jordan

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between the two aspects of total quality management (TQM), soft TQM practices and hard TQM practices in manufacturing organisations. A research project was carried out in Jordanian manufacturing organisations using questionnaire survey. The relationships between the practices were examined through Pearson correlation and simple linear regression analyses. The results showed that the relationship between soft and hard TQM practices is significant. Customer focus has a significant relationship with statistical process control (SPC), while education and training have two significant relationships (SPC and continuous improvement). Top management leadership has three significant relationships (SPC, continuous improvement and product design). Finally, supplier relationship has significant relationships with all hard practices except process management practice. Hence, managers of manufacturing companies should realise the important role of hard practices in implementing soft TQM practices successfully.

Keywords: total quality management; TQM; hard practices; soft practices; manufacturing organisations; Jordan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2018.088315

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2018 Vol.14 No.1, pp.49 - 86

Received: 06 Jul 2016
Accepted: 19 Oct 2016
Published online: 04 Dec 2017 *

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