HARD QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE: THE MODERATING ROLE OF SOFT QUALITY MANAGEMEN

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to examine the moderating role of soft quality management practices (management commitment, customer focus, employee involvement, training and education, reward and recognition and supplier relationship) between hard quality management and performance. The study uses data from 255 Electrical & Electronic organizations in Malaysia. A stepwise regression method was used. The results provided empirical support for the moderating role of soft quality management practices on the relationship between hard quality management and performance in a Malaysian context.

Keywords

• quality management
• soft quality management
• hard quality management
• Malaysia
• moderating effects
• performance