Recent and Influential Studies on TQM-Innovation Relationship: A Review

Abstract

The Purpose of this paper is to review the recent studies on the relationship between Total Quality Management TQM and innovation. As the literature on this relationship is not comprehensive and because of limitations of the existent related studies, this paper involved a review of 8 studies conducted in the period from 2006 and 2011. The review showed that the relationship between TQM and innovation is contradicted. That is because the intra relation between TQM practices has not been investigated in most of the reviewed studies. Also the moderated factors (e.g. firm size, firm age, and period of implementing TQM) that may influence the TQM implementation as well as innovation performance have not been fully considered. Thus, more studies are needed to clarify this relationship through a different approach to overcome the limitations. Some gaps in the literature are identified and discussed for the benefit of the researchers and academicians. By discussing the findings and identifying the gaps, this paper can contribute to the body of knowledge, academicians and managers regarding the vital role of the TQM and innovation on business performance.

Keywords: TQM, innovation, relationship, review