Quality Management Practices and Internal Knowledge Transfer Relationship: Empirical Study of Manufacturing Companies in Jordan

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between quality management practices (QMP)  and internal knowledge transfer in Jordanian Manufacturing Companies. It surveyed 230 employees by means of a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regressions, were employed. To confirm the suitability of data collection instrument, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, Cronbach’s Alpha and factor analysis were used. The result of the study showed a positive significant relationship between QMP and IKT. The current study results showed that the main hypothesis was rejected and the alternative was accepted which states that the QMP variables (teamwork, empowering and process control) affect IKT. The results also indicated that involving employees in processes control and using different methods to ensure quality were having highest effect on IKT. Followed by working as a team during performing a task or activity, finally employee empowerment was having the lowest effect on IKT, though it was having positive and significant effect on IKT. The use of one industrial area study design may limit its generalisability to other areas. The data is also limited to Jordanian organizations; therefore, generalizing results of Jordanian setting to other countries may be questionable. Extending the analyses to other settings represent future research opportunities, which can be done by the following ways: Further testing with larger samples within same industry is important, and including other industries will help mitigate the issue of generalizing conclusions on other organizations and industries. Moreover, further empirical researches involving data collection over diverse countries especially Arab countries are needed. The research results might help both academics and practitioners. The data suggest that a similar set of QMP indicators could be developed for other organizations and industries whether government, public or private, profitable or non-profitable organizations. QMP should be taken into serious consideration when formulating the Jordanian Manufacturing Companies strategy.

Key Words: Quality Management Practices (QMP), Internal Knowledge Transfer(IKT), Jordanian Manufacturing Companies.