The impact of total quality management on corporate sustainability in the manufacturing sector: corporate social responsibility as a mediator

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims at investigating the impact of total quality management (TQM) on corporate sustainability (CS) by mediating the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachA mixed research approach was adopted by conducting interviews and a survey. A survey was used as a quantitative tool for data collection from 67 respondents at different managerial levels. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for analysis.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that customer focus and human resource management (HRM) were the most effective practices. Structural analysis revealed that TQM had a significant impact on CSR and CS. Furthermore, CSR partially mediates the relationship between TQM and CS.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has developed a conceptual framework to provide policymakers with guidelines on integrating TQM practices and CSR activities into their strategy.Originality/valueThis research bridges the gap between TQM and the three pillars of CS, especially in manufacturing enterprises in a developing country context. This research also supports the TQM advocate's argument that effective TQM deployment can dramatically improve organizational performance. Additionally, this study verifies the CS model based on the triple bottom line (TBL) theory and stakeholder theory by assessing the conceptual model's robustness using a mixed-method research methodology, which has never been done before from a Palestinian perspective.