Empirical study on the integration of quality methods: To realize multiple quality performance

With the concept of “big Q”, the company´s quality target is diversified, thus the implementation of quality management methods in enterprise shows integrating trend. The question is: can the integration of quality methods applied effectively promote the multiple quality performance? This paper aims to investigate the integrated effect of ISO 9000 systems, National Quality Award (NQA) and Six Sigma on multiple quality performance. Based on the literature, six hypotheses are formulated. A set of 543 empirical data was obtained from the Continuous Improvement Survey in 10 countries. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that a significant association between integrated quality methods and multiple quality performance. The findings will provide empirical evidence to theoretical analysis of integrated quality management methodologies and lay a good foundation for integrating management systems.