The Effect of Total Quality Management on Organisational Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) Studies

This systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesises SEM-based evidence on the relationship between Total Quality Management (TQM) and organisational performance. The Web of Science, Scopus, and Semantic Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed studies, published between 2015 and 2026, that reported direct TQM-to-performance structural paths. Of 255 full-text records assessed, 148 were coded, and 92 contributed to the primary random-effects model. The pooled standardised path coefficient indicates a moderate positive effect. Between-study heterogeneity was substantial. Composite TQM operationalisation produced stronger effects than individual dimensions. Aggregate and sustainability performance responded more strongly than other performance types. Meta-regression revealed no statistically significant contextual moderators. Key limitations include geographic concentration in South and Southeast Asia and the MENA region, reliance on cross-sectional survey designs, and a single-coder approach. No risk-of-bias tool was applied, as no validated instrument exists for this study type in management research. TQM consistently improves organisational performance across contexts. Future research should prioritise longitudinal designs, broader sectoral coverage, and non-English literature.