The mediating effect of affective commitment to change in the readiness for change – TQM relationship

Abstract

A comprehensive review of the literature indicates that the impact of employee readiness for change (ERFC) and employee affective commitment to change (EACC) on total quality management (TQM) implementation is still in its infancy. More specifically, there are limited empirical studies examining the mediating role that EACC plays in the ERFC dimensions – TQM relationship. To address these gaps, we aimed to investigate the relationship between ERFC dimensions and TQM with the meditational role of EACC. A total of 586 questionnaires were distributed to two employees, each within 293 manufacturing organisations in Jordan. The analysis, conducted using structural equation modelling, demonstrated that different dimensions of ERFC impact EACC and TQM distinctively. Our findings offer strong evidence of the pivotal mediating role of EACC in the relationship between ERFC dimensions and TQM. Thus, this study unveils the role of EACC as a mechanism upon which the ERFC–TQM relationship is based.

Keywords:

• TQM
• affective commitment to change
• employee readiness for change

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).