PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationship between quality management practices and their impact on performance.Design/methodology/approachFirst, critical quality management practices are identified and classified in three main categories: management, infrastructure, and core practices. Then, a model linking these practices and performance is proposed and empirically tested. The empirical data were obtained from a survey of 133 Tunisian companies from the plastic transforming sector.FindingsThe results reveal a positive relationship between quality management practices and organizational performance. Moreover, the findings show a significant relationship between management and infrastructure practices. In addition, the results illustrate a direct effect of infrastructure practices on operational performance and of core practices on product quality.Research limitations/implicationsThe conceptual model proposed and tested in this study can be used by researchers for developing quality management theory. In addition, this model may offer a flow chart to practitioners for effective quality management implementation.Originality/valueThe proposed model is the first one to distinguish the direct effects of infrastructure practices on performance from the indirect effects of these practices through the core practices. Besides, the use of path analysis method to study the direct and indirect relationships between quality management practices and their effect on performance dimensions.

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PurposeThis empirical study aims to explore the link between lean manufacturing practices (total quality management, just-in-time production, just-in-time purchasing, total productive/preventive maintenance), agile manufacturing, and operational and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 205 Tunisian manufacturing firms, and the results were analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that (1) lean manufacturing practices have a direct positive relationship with agile manufacturing except for just-in-time production, (2) agile manufacturing has a positive impact on operational performance and (3) lean manufacturing practices did not seem to contribute directly to operational performance. However, this relationship is significant when it is mediated through agile manufacturing.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper shows practitioners the importance of lean manufacturing practices to support agile manufacturing and the key role of agile manufacturing to ensure operational performance.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative approach since it studies simultaneously the three dimensions of lean manufacturing and their relationship with agile manufacturing and organizational performance.

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to analyze the reciprocal relation between total quality management (TQM) and innovation (product innovation and process innovation) and their impact on operational and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe data were obtained from a survey of 205 manufacturing companies. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to evaluate the research model.FindingsThe results reveal that there is a reciprocal relationship between TQM and innovation. Moreover, the findings indicate a significant positive effect of product innovation and process innovation on operational performance and insignificant direct impact of TQM on operational performance. However, this effect is significant when it is mediated through product innovation and process innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper helps practitioners to understand how TQM practices support both product and process innovation and the role of the latter in promoting the implementation of TQM practices and ensuring operational performance.Originality/valueThis study presents an innovative approach since it is among the first research studies that provide empirical evidence to a reciprocal association between TQM and innovation. Additionally, this paper examines the dimensions studied in different aspects. It considered financial performance and operational performance, and with respect to innovation, this dimension was analyzed through two different perspectives, namely product innovation and process innovation. This study is also among the first and few research studies that have studied the mediating effect of innovation.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to model the coaching practice on the one hand, and, on the other, develop and validate an integrative measurement scale that is associated to the following dimensions, namely, the coach’s enforcement of standards, the coach’s empathy and the coach’s expectation for entrepreneurial performance. Design/methodology/approach An empirical study of 111 Tunisian successors, which is based on the structural equation method, has enabled mentioning that the required dimensions are the coach’s enforcement of standards, the coach’s empathy and the coach’s expectation for entrepreneurial performance. Findings First, the coach’s enforcement of standards and the coach’s empathy are the main parts of the coaching practice in regard to the Tunisian successors. Second, this study shows that it is necessary to include entrepreneurial behavior on the research that treats successor’s coaching. Originality/value Coaching programs concern essentially employees and orient their careers through assistance, advice and orientation. However, although successors face some hardships throughout their careers, they are outside the focus of attention. Thus, this study contributes to the coaching literature by modeling the coaching practice and by developing and validating an entrepreneurial coaching scale.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between TQM/Six Sigma practices and their impact on performance. Design/methodology/approach Based on the literature review of research that investigated the TQM and Six Sigma best practices and performance, the TQM/Six Sigma practices are classified into three key categories: top management commitment and support (TMCS), infrastructure and core practices. This paper proposes a path model linking these practices and performance. The empirical data were obtained from a survey of 91 Tunisian companies in different sectors. The research model was tested using partial least squares (PLS) technique based on SmartPLS software. Findings The result shows that the implementation of Six Sigma practices is based majorly on the TQM practices. Also, it reveals the positive impact of TQM/Six Sigma practices on performance. Furthermore, the analysis of path model reveals the relative interdependence and significant link between TMCS, infrastructure, core practices and performance. Research limitations/implications The path model tested in this study combines the TQM/Six Sigma practices and reveals their link with performance, which enhance the research theory of both two approaches. Moreover, it will be a useful support for the quality expert on the effective integration of TQM and Six Sigma methods. Originality/value This study is the first one which studies the link between TQM/Six Sigma practices and company’s performance in the Tunisian context based on PLS technique.

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