An empirical study of TQM and its effect on the organizational sustainability development : a successful model for implementation

The main purpose of this research is to construct a generic model for successful implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in Oil sector, and to find out the effects of this model on the organizational sustainability development performance (OSDP) of Libyan oil and gas companies using the structured equation modeling (SEM) approach. To achieve this aim, the adopted research approach covers both quantitative and qualitative methods. Based on the literature search, eleven quality factors with 42 items were identified to develop a questionnaire in order to identify the quality factors that are seen by Libyan oil and gas companies to be critical to the success of TQM implementation. 42 out of 45 questionnaires were returned sufficiently completed with response rate 93.33%. Hypotheses were developed to evaluate the impact of TQM implementation on OSDP. The empirical analysis demonstrates several key findings: data analysis reveals that there is a significant positive effect of the TQM implementation on OSDP. The analysis indicated that 24 quality factors are found to be critical and absolutely essential for successful TQM implementation. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to discover how these CQFs are experientially rated in specific organisational contexts. An in-depth case study analysis of two selected organisations provided understanding of the process of successful TQM implementation. The results generated a structure of the TQM implementation framework linked to OSDP based on the four major road map constructs (Top management commitment, employee involvement and participation, customer-driven processes, and continuous improvement culture). Libyan oil companies should consider TQM as an innovative tool for improving OSDP in today's dynamic industry environment. The findings suggest the notion that the TQM critical success factors (CSFs) should be implemented holistically rather than on a piecemeal basis to get the full potential of the TQM.