The Impact of Quality Practices on Productivity and Profitability in the Saudi Arabian Dried Date Industry

Abstract

This paper examines the relationships among quality management, profitability, and productivity in Saudi Arabia’s dried date industry. Analyzing the data using correlation, SEM, and regression analyses revealed that the factors with the greatest impact on productivity and profitability were quality measurement, benchmarking, employee focus, training, and supplier relations. The findings also indicate that productivity serves as a mediator for the link between profitability and quality management. Accordingly, Saudi date producers should consider paying more attention to quality management aspects of the manufacturing process and provide greater management support for quality measurement, benchmarking, and other quality programs. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}