Total quality management implementation and competitive advantage: The role of structural control and exploration

We explored the relationship between the degree to which total quality mana gement (TQM) practices were adopted within organizations and the correspond ing competitive advantages achieved. We found relatively strong support for this relationship, In addition, our data showed some support for the moder ating influence of organizational structure on TQM implementation effective ness. Specifically, two measures of organizational structure, labeled "cont rol" and "exploration," were found to offer independent and interdependent influences on the financial performance of firms implementing TQM programs.