Purpose The emergence of Quality 5.0 (Q5.0) reflects a paradigm shift in quality management (QM) toward integrating advanced digital technologies with human-centric values, sustainability orientation and ethical governance. Despite growing conceptual interest, empirical research on Q5.0 remains limited, particularly due to the absence of validated measurement instruments. This study aims to develop and validate a multidimensional scale for measuring Q5.0 in the manufacturing sector. Design/methodology/approach Following established scale development procedures, a multi-phase mixed-method design was employed. The study combined an extensive literature review, qualitative interviews, expert validation, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory composite analysis using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Data were collected from manufacturing firms operating in key industrial sectors in Iraq. A reflective–formative hierarchical model was specified, with six reflective first-order dimensions forming a formative higher-order Q5.0 construct. Findings The results support a six-dimensional structure of Q5.0 comprising human-centric quality practices, human–artificial intelligence collaboration and smart quality systems, sustainable and green quality orientation, ethical and trustworthy quality governance, resilient and adaptive QM, and collaborative value co-creation. The validated scale demonstrates strong reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, predictive relevance, robustness against common method bias and partial measurement invariance across firm size and industry sectors. Originality/value This study offers one of the first empirically validated measurement instruments for Q5.0. By operationalizing Q5.0 as a reflective–formative hierarchical construct, it advances QM theory and provides a robust foundation for future empirical research and managerial application.
Ibrahim et al. (Mon,) studied this question.