Abstract:
This paper re-examines the effects of total quality management (TQM) on firms’
financial performance by reviewing the findings of the empirical literature. It
assesses the appropriateness of different financial measures while evaluating the
impact of TQM as reported by various studies. We propose a new conceptual model
to empirically test the effect of TQM implementation on financial performance –
one that is meaningful for shareholders. There is near consensus that the overriding
objective of a firm should be to maximise shareholders’ wealth. We conclude by
briefly reviewing the methodological limitations inherent in studies in this field and
recommend avenues for further empirical research on TQM’s impact on financial
performance.
