Organisational learning as a mediating factor of TQM practices and technological innovation: an empirical analysis of Malaysia's manufacturing firms

Abstract

The relationships between six total quality management (TQM) practices, organisational learning (OL) and technological innovation (TI) are examined, with OL being the mediating factor. 258 survey data were gathered from the Malaysian manufacturing firms. Multiple linear regression was used to test the relationships between the three constructs. Findings showed that strategic planning, customer focus, human resource management, process management, and information and analysis will lead to higher OL; while strategic planning, customer focus and human resource management induces a higher TI. OL fully mediates for the following relationships: process management, and information and analysis with TI. The proposed conceptual model serves as a diagnostic instrument for the top management to handle the company's OL and TI by leveraging on the present TQM dimensions. The inclusion of OL as a mediating variable is an essential aspect that prior studies have yet to consider, hence filling the literature gap of TQM.