Title: A meta-analysis review of total quality management issues in operational performance research: systematic and Pareto analysis review

Authors: Tibesigwa Warren; Juma James Masele; Gerald Bernard Magova

Addresses: Department of Management Science, Makerere University Business School, P.O. Box 1337, Kampala, Uganda ' Department of General Management, University of Dar es Salaam Business School, P.O. Box 35046, Dar es Salaam Tanzania ' Department of General Management, University of Dar es Salaam Business School, P.O. Box 35046, Dar es Salaam Tanzania

Abstract: Current business and organisational management has seen the need for total quality management (TQM) implementation to improve organisational performance. This paper critically assesses the literature on TQM and operational performance issues in order to identify areas for future research. Systematic and Pareto analysis review methodologies were used to study articles published between 2000-2023 in order to identify the most vital TQM practices and operational performance dimensions. Twelve vital TQM practices in operational performance research and seven vital dimensions of operational performance were identified. It was also noted that literature on TQM and operational performance is still wanting since some practices were found to have mixed effects on operational performance. Findings also showed that most studies in this area have been done in manufacturing sector of developed countries with few in the service sector like health subsectors of developing countries. Furthermore, quantitative methodology has been most preferred ignoring qualitative and mixed methods. Thus, more studies need to be done in various sectors to fill the identified research gaps.

Keywords: total quality management practices; operational performance; OP; Pareto analysis; systematic review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2026.150895

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2026 Vol.47 No.1, pp.106 - 139

Received: 08 Nov 2022
Accepted: 12 Jul 2023
Published online: 05 Jan 2026 *

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