The mediating effect of human resource on successful total quality management implementation : An empirical study on SMEs in manufacturing sectors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the mediating effect of human resource (HR) between independent variables (i.e. leadership and quality culture (QC)) and successful total quality management (TQM) implementation for firm performance as dependent variable. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, the authors have used exploratory factor analysis output as input for mediation statistics. The mediating regression analysis has been performed using exploratory factor analysis based on four steps technique proposed by Baron and Keene in the year 1986 to test the theoretical model. Findings – The mediation statistics output suggests that HR is a complete mediation between independent variables (i.e. leadership) and successful TQM implementation for firm performance and QC is having direct impact on firm performance without any mediation effect of HR. Research limitations/implications – Mediation regression has its own limitations. Satisfying four steps does not, however, conclusively establish that mediation has occurred and also there persists a measurement problem. The cross-ectional data is one of the present limitation of our present study. While this study was able to provide additional insight into leadership and QC of TQM and its relationship with firm performance, it also revealed areas that would benefit from further research. Originality/value – This study provides an insight into leadership together with right QC mediates with HR practices to help successful TQM implementation for firm performance on the basis of survey conducted among Indian manufacturing sector is unique contribution.