›› 2016, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (1): 31-41.

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The Relationship between Quality Management Practices, Organizational Learning and Firm Performance: An Empirical Study on Zhejiang Manufacturing Enterprises

Feng Xiaobin, Chen Liqiong   

  1. School of Economics and Management, Zhejiang Sci-tech University, Hangzhou 310018
  • Received:2013-10-31 Online:2016-01-30 Published:2016-02-01

Abstract:

The influence of quality management infrastructure practices and core practices on firm performance is analyzed based on literature review, in which organizational learning plays a mediator role. A theoretical model including quality management practice (QMP), organizational learning and firm performance is testified by using the data from 424 manufacturing firms of Zhejiang province. The results indicate that not only infrastructure practices and core practices have direct positive impact on firm performance, but also their interacting and matching terms have direct effects. Moreover, both explorative learning and exploitative learning mediate infrastructure practices and firm performance, while only exploitative learning indirectly influences the relationship between core practices and firm performance. Managerial implications for manufacturing firms as to how to implement QMP and achieve quality upgrading are provided according to research findings.

Key words: quality management practices (QMP), infrastructure practices, core practices, organizational learning, firm performance