An investigation into the relationship between soft aspects of total quality management practices and job satisfaction in printing firms : the case of Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) LTD

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the major people-oriented Total Quality Management (TQM) practices that impact job satisfaction within the printing sector using a major printing company Fidelity Printers and Refiners Pvt. Ltd as a case study. The study also seeks to find out the differences in job satisfaction (if any) between men and women and between young and aged employees as a result of such practices.

Although there is growing literature on the impact of the soft (people-oriented) TQM practices on job satisfaction, such research has not been conducted in Zimbabwe or for the Printing industry. Furthermore, among researchers, their findings have been different and contradicting.

Following a critical literature review on TQM, a set of soft practices were identified which were used as the independent variables. These people-oriented practices are education and training, reward and recognition, empowerment, team work, and involvement from which several hypotheses were formulated.

A questionnaire was designed to collect data from employees and the data was subjected to SPSS analysis. Non-parametric tests were conducted and training and education proved to have the highest influence on job satisfaction while involvement recorded a negative association with job satisfaction. The results revealed that old employees are more satisfied than their young counterparts while there is no statistically significant difference between men and women.

The study objectives were met and the implications of the study are that management ought to review their TQM dimensions consistent with the training needs of employees. Furthermore, particular efforts must be made to improve job satisfaction for young employees.