A second‐order factor analysis of critical TQM factors Available to Purchase

The quality management literature prescribes various critical quality improvement strategies. However, there have been few empirical studies that tested for the synergy or the relationships among these critical quality constructs. This study develops a second‐order factor model to test whether a set of critical quality management factors load on an overall construct that may be termed “Total quality management”. Using survey data collected from 173 manufacturing and service firms, the LISREL VII computer program is used to estimate and validate the proposed model. The results provide an initial empirical evidence of the importance of implementing the quality management strategies holistically rather than piecemeal.