Integrated management systems and organizational performance: a multidimensional perspective

Abstract

To foster competitive advantages, many organizations have implemented quality management systems (QMS), environment management systems (EMS) and occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) with a predisposition to integrate them. Thus, the objective of this article was to propose a mathematical model capable of measuring the workers’ perception of the impacts of integrated management systems on the organizational performance of a large company. For this, a questionnaire derived from a systematic literature review was applied. For data analysis, Cluster Analysis was used to group the observable variables. Subsequently, Factor Analysis (FA) was performed to determine the factor loads and the percentage of explanation of the items. Finally, it was implemented Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to measure the confluences between latent and observable variables and validate the theoretical model. The results showed that the items were grouped according to similarity through three dimensions associated with QMS, EMS and OHSMS, and that multidimensional FA explained latent traits in 73%. SEM parameters achieved excellent adjustment rates. The contribution of this study is in the validation of the theoretical structure (SEM) that explains how the Integrated Management System is perceived by workers.