The Effectiveness of TQM The Key Role of Organizational Learning in Small Businesses

Total quality management is frequently considered to be a means for achieving competitive advantage. Small businesses have several limitations when they implement quality practices. However, total quality practices can foster the creation of the indispensable knowledge for continuous improvement and for competing in the current markets.The management of knowledge has also been identified as an important antecedent of performance. Using structural equations modelling, this article analyses the linkages between total quality management, organizational learning and performance.The most significant implication of this article is that small businesses should pay more attention to total quality management practices, as these can support both knowledge management practices and organizational performance.