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Previous studies reported mixed and ambiguous results of the relationship between TQM practices and performances. This study investigated impacts of TQM practices on various performance measures as well as the reasons and the barriers of the TQM practices of firms in Turkey. We used a cross-sectional survey methodology in this study, and the unit of the sample was at the plant level. The sample was selected from the member firms to Turkish Quality Association and the firms located in the Kocaeli-Gebze Organized Industrial Zone. We obtained 242 usable questionnaires, with a satisfactory response rate of 48.4 percent. We conducted exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. This study has shown that different TQM practices significantly affect different performance outcomes. Results revealed that primary obstacles that the firms in Turkey face were lack of employee involvement, awareness and commitment of the employees, inappropriate firm structure, and lack of the resources. It is recommended that firms should continue implement TQM with all variables to improve performance. Firms should improve employees' involvement/commitment/awareness to TQM, enhance firm structure, and provide resources to overcome the barriers that prevent effective implementation of TQM practices.

IntroductionInternational Organization for Standardization ISO 9000 is a general standard related to fundamentals of implementation of a quality management system. The aim of ISO 9000 is to implement quality management procedures by means of leadership, work instructions, documentation and record keeping. ISO 9000 standard does not determine the quality or performance level of the product or service. It deals with standardization of process management and improvement of an organization. The origin of ISO 9000 standards comes from harmonizing quality standards across nations (Heizer & Render, 2011;Goetsch & Davis, 2010).Laboratory accreditation assesses the competencies of all types of laboratories in terms of performing specific tests and calibrations. ISO and the international Electro-Technical Commission (IEC) introduced ISO/IEC 17025 standard due to the growing importance of accreditation and international recognition. The assessment of the facilities that calibrate and test equipment is crucial to monitor accuracy of measurement and testing (Beckett and Slay, 2011). ISO 17025 is a laboratory standard equivalent to more generic ISO 9000. The standard can be applied by all organizations performing tests and/or calibrations and it can harmonize laboratories worldwide (ISO-9000, 2010).

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