Mediating role of learning organization on the relationship between total quality management and operational performance in Brazilian manufacturers

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of learning organization dimensions on the relationship between the implementation of total quality management practices and companies’ operational performance improvement. Design/methodology/approach: The authors carried out a cross-sector survey with 135 Brazilian manufacturing companies that have been implementing total quality management as an organizational strategy for at least five years. Collected data were analyzed using multivariate data analysis techniques. Findings: The findings provide guidelines for manufacturers to increase their learning capability by reinforcing the implementation of total quality manageme..