Does the rationale for implementing quality management practices matter?

Over the years organizations have implemented different types of quality management practices for various reasons. Some organizations implement quality practices as a foundation to achieve strategic goals; others implement quality practices to satisfy industry expectations and other social pressures. This research investigates the social and rational perspectives for implementing quality practices. It considers the type of quality management practices organizations implement based on the logic for implementation. From the social perspective, organizations implement the type of quality practices that will be viewed as legitimate to other firms in their industry or country. From a rational perspective, organizations implement the type of quality practices that align with their strategic goals. Based on a sample of 238 manufacturing plants, the analysis supports the rational perspective, but also shows some evidence of social influences. Further analysis shows that although both these perspectives influence the implementation of quality practices, only practices driven by the rational perspective contribute to performance.