Enhancing organizational performance in small and medium-sized enterprises has received growing attention, yet evidence of how specific Quality Management Practices (QMP) influence organizational performance (OP) remains limited. Purpose: This study examines the direct and mediated relationships between seven QMP dimensions and OP, grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV). Methodology: We analyzed survey data from 195 managers of SMEs affiliated with the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicate that QMP are positively associated with OP overall. Findings: People engagement is not a significant predictor. Green innovation shows no significant direct effect on OP, but mediates the effects of leadership & management commitment, customer focus, people engagement, and relationship management on OP, with no mediation for process approach, evidence-based decision-making, or improvement. Significant of the study: These findings refine RBV-based explanations of capability performance links and clarify when GI acts as a pathway rather than a standalone driver. Practically, the study guides SME leaders and policymakers to prioritize QMP dimensions with the strongest direct and GI-mediated links to OP in resource-constrained settings.

This study examines how organizational culture shapes the effectiveness and sustainability of Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives in healthcare. We conducted a qualitative embedded case study at a Danish university hospital, exploring six clinical units across surgery, internal medicine, and related specialties. Participants included managers, frontline staff, and QI facilitators. Guided by the Competing Values Framework (CVF), we analyzed how four cultural archetypes: Clan, Adhocracy, Market, and Hierarchy—influenced QI processes across initiation, execution, and evaluation phases. Data included 15 semi-structured interviews and internal QI documents. Reflexive thematic analysis combined deductive CVF-based coding with inductive insights, while researcher positionality and reflexivity were addressed through team dialogue and systematic documentation of interpretive choices. Findings show that culture shaped implementation pathways. In Clan-oriented units, staff involvement fostered ownership: “The more we involve staff in shaping the process, the more ownership they take, and the changes stick.” Market cultures emphasized performance metrics but risked shallow engagement, while Hierarchy and Adhocracy cultures provided structure and innovation but faced limits in sustainability. The study demonstrates that tailoring QI strategies to cultural contexts enhances engagement and outcomes. We reflect on the CVF’s limits in capturing cultural complexity and suggest complementary frameworks such as CFIR to strengthen conceptual grounding.

In today’s dynamic business environment, the pursuit of continuous improvement and sustainable growth encourages organizations to adopt quality management frameworks. ISO 9001 and EFQM are two prominent models in this field. They are widely recognized for their ability to help organizations achieve their quality and excellence goals. This study provides a comprehensive overview of these two fundamental frameworks, examining their practical impacts. Utilizing a systematic literature review methodology, the study conducts a comparative analysis of ISO 9001 and EFQM. The research concludes with significant findings for decision-making processes in the field of quality management. It offers valuable insights for organizations considering the adoption of ISO 9001 or EFQM, serving as a guide for their transition journey.

This research is intended to examine the adoption of the Quality by Design (QbD) approach within a process industry setting, thereby leading to sustainable performance. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to explore the systematic integration of QbD principles into the design and control of distillation column controllers to improve product quality, operating efficiency, and sustainability. The study analyzes process variables and develops a robust system by leveraging statistical methods, quality management tools, and chemical and control engineering expertise. It is found that effective deployment of QbD methodology in process engineering requires a robust and systematic approach. Additionally, we determined that Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP) and Critical Quality Attributes (CQA) are important components for effective deployment and sustainment of QbD to achieve Sustainable Development Goals for the industries. Moreover, it is observed that including noise and control parameters is essential during the project’s design phase. This study offers a systematic approach to implementing QM in industrial process design. The study highlights the potential of QbD in control engineering to enhance industrial processes and contribute to sustainability.

This study examines the effect of Jordanian national culture on the successful implementation of the ISO 9001 standard and the adoption of its principles. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical methodology, the research included a literature review, survey creation, data collection and analysis, and structural equation modeling. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions were adopted to model the national culture. Conceptually, the study presents a new interpretative framework, indicating that the outcomes of ISO 9001 implementation can be explained by cultural dimensions, mediated by the adoption of ISO 9001 principles. The findings indicate that Jordanian national culture presents obstacles to both adopting and successfully implementing the ISO 9001 standard. Specifically, the cultural dimensions of uncertainty avoidance and indulgence are negatively associated with the adoption of all ISO 9001 principles. Furthermore, the dimensions of uncertainty avoidance, indulgence, and time orientation negatively correlate with the criteria for successful ISO 9001 implementation. Overall, the findings suggest that unique cultural dimensions in each country influence the successful implementation of the ISO 9001 standard.

This study explores the complex interplay of internal and external factors driving the likelihood of product recalls for an organization. Initially, it examines the impact of innovation capability on product recall likelihood. Contrary to the prevailing wisdom, it posits a U-shaped relationship, suggesting that while heightened innovation capability generally benefits firms, it can lead to detrimental management challenges beyond a certain threshold. Furthermore, this research examines how firms handle product recalls in fiercely competitive industries. Recognizing the significance of external factors, this study asserts that industry competition amplifies the likelihood of product recalls. However, an intriguing twist emerges when the competition reaches an extreme level; the likelihood of product recalls diminishes, forming an inverted U-shaped pattern. In essence, this study empirically tests these theoretical constructs, shedding light on the complex dynamics governing the likelihood of product recalls for an organization, considering both an internal force and an external one.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the trends in research published by the Quality Management Journal (QMJ) based on Scopus Indexed publications for a period ranging from 2013 to 2023. The paper intends to offer a bibliometric analysis of the journal by highlighting the contributions made by the journal through document citations, prominent authors, most frequent keywords, and publication trends for the last decade. The analysis provides insight into how the QMJ has contributed to the development of the field of quality management. The journal has remained unwavering in its commitment to uphold both quality and comprehensiveness, thereby leading to widespread acclaim and robust indexing As analyzed from the author keyword analysis the contributions made to the journal can be categorized into seven themes, i.e., Leadership Essentials for Quality Management, Six Sigma & Quality, Quality Management in Services, Stakeholder Involvement for Quality Management, TQM & Continuous Improvement in Manufacturing, and Service Quality and Quality Management in Healthcare. A key theme to emerge from this study is that future research and applications must be robustly framed in relevant theory, to recognize, understand, and articulate implications for practice. Experiential quality will move further along the spectrum of socio-technical or socio-materiality.

It is now imperative to improve global competitiveness in an organization by upgrading process performance, enriching operational excellence besides organizational excellence. This paper illustrates flexible and practical application of Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) to optimize the process parameters for the operating regime for dephosphorization in hot metal with low silicon (< 0.4%) while steel making. The statistical techniques such that hypothesis testing, non-parametric test and regression techniques were used to statistically define the key process parameters which had significant impact on dephosphorization. Six Sigma methodology was adopted to define the optimal values required to achieve the desired phosphorus level (< = 0.015%). This paper is based on case study of a renowned steel company of India, imprints that amount of oxygen blown and tapping temperature were significantly impacting the above dephosphorization process. The regression model was recommended for reference of steel engineers and managers for maintaining an optimum level of above process parameters in augmenting production of low Phosphorus steel grade. Steel industrialists, academics, consultants, researchers and Six Sigma practitioners will benefit from this study. The success of this study would help more such industries in improving the performance of similar processes.

This paper describes the synergistic style of stewardship created by integrating the meta theory of management developed by W. Edwards Deming, the tools and methods of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Management, and the administrative systems of the Japanese Way of Total Quality Control to improve the welfare of all shareholders of an organization: investors, employees, customers, vendors, regulatory agencies, buildings and grounds, the environment, etc. It is called Deming-based Lean Six Sigma Management (DBLSS). It also expands Dr. Deming’s meta theory of management by adding a fifth discipline which is the Theory of Communication. Its purpose is to spread DBLSS and any other new idea within and between organizations and people. Further, the paper presents a major change to the purpose of the Japanese Way of Total Quality Control by restating the purpose of JTQC from “improve customer satisfaction” to “improve customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction.” Finally, the paper explains that Lean thinking and Six Sigma Management are sets of tools and methods with no philosophical guidance to ensure they are used to improve the satisfaction of all shareholders. It clarifies that traditional management’s purpose is to optimize stockholder welfare, while DBLSS management’s purpose is to optimize all shareholders’ welfare.