Best predictors of high performance quality organisations: evidence from Australia and New Zealand

This paper is based on a doctoral research study which analysed a large data base consisting of 962 responses from Australian manufacturing firms and 379 responses from New Zealand manufacturing firms. Multiple discriminant analysis was used to explore the differences between manufacturing firms grouped according to their level of organisational performance. The study concluded that high performing organisations focus on the * softer' quality practices such as breaking down barriers between departments and continuous improvement, while low performing organisations tended to focus on the 'harder' quality practices such as ISO 9000 certification, and benchmarking.