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Effects of Total Quality Management (TQM) Dimensions on Innovation—Evidence from SMEs

Author

Listed:
  • Marina Godinho Antunes

    (ISCAL—Lisbon Accounting and Business School, Lisbon Polytechnic Institute, 1069-035 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Pedro Ribeiro Mucharreira

    (Institute of Education, University of Lisbon, 1649-013 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Maria Rosário Texeira Justino

    (ISCAL—Lisbon Accounting and Business School, Lisbon Polytechnic Institute, 1069-035 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Joaquín Texeira-Quirós

    (Department of Economic and Business Sciences, Autonomous University of Lisbon, 1169-023 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

This research study aims to study and identify which dimensions of TQM have influence on and support innovation strategies within the Portuguese small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in the context of products or services’ innovation and process innovation, as well as to analyze the extent to which this relationship occurs. To examine the linkage between TQM dimensions and innovation strategies, concerning innovation products and innovation processes, a multiple linear regression analysis was chosen and an eight-predictor multiple linear regression model was proposed. The data was collected through a questionnaire sent by email. This research study allows to conclude that several dimensions of TQM, such as benchmarking, quality/conception and product design, and continuous improvement, have a significant and positive association with product innovation. Although the data analysis/measurement of the results dimension has a significant association with product innovation, this association is negative. Conversely, several TQM dimensions, such as leadership/management’s commitment, benchmarking, involvement/empowerment of employees, and continuous improvement, revealed a positive and significant association with process innovation. Our research is of crucial importance for the knowledge of Portuguese SMEs and the fundamental factors that companies must address to both improve their efficiency and be more competitive, thereby increasing profitability and ensuring financial sustainability in the medium and long term.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina Godinho Antunes & Pedro Ribeiro Mucharreira & Maria Rosário Texeira Justino & Joaquín Texeira-Quirós, 2021. "Effects of Total Quality Management (TQM) Dimensions on Innovation—Evidence from SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:18:p:10095-:d:632165
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eduardo Antonio Chang-Muñoz & Andrés Felipe Guarín-García & Yuneidis Charris-Sevilla & José Fernando Gallego-Nicholls & Cristina Santos-Rojo & Arturo Ortigosa-Blanch, 2023. "Innovation Activities and Their Impact on Product Innovation Results: Evidence from a Sectorial Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Sintayehu Assefa Yirga & Misrak Ayalew Beshir, 2025. "The effect of total quality management practices on innovation: evidence from selected agricultural technical and vocational education training colleges in Ethiopia," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-26, December.
    3. GUPTA Babeet & SRIVASTAVA Riktesh & UC Harish & ABURAYYA Ahmed, 2024. "Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model “PLS-SEM” to Predict Total Quality Management in UAE Higher Education: A Comprehensive Framework for Organizational Performance Enhancement," Foundations of Management, Sciendo, vol. 16(1), pages 247-258.
    4. Aawag Mohsen Alawag & Wesam Salah Alaloul & M. S. Liew & Abdullah O. Baarimah & Muhammad Ali Musarat & Al-Baraa Abdulrahman Al-Mekhlafi, 2023. "The Role of the Total-Quality-Management (TQM) Drivers in Overcoming the Challenges of Implementing TQM in Industrialized-Building-System (IBS) Projects in Malaysia: Experts’ Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.

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