Transforming hospitality industry through innovation: the synergy of employee empowerment and quality management

Purpose In the present scenario, total quality management (TQM) is one of the most extensively studied areas in the hospitality industry. It provides a collective solution for enhancing organizational performance and addressing issues across the private, public and manufacturing sectors. Therefore, the present study seeks to investigate the effects of employee involvement, top management commitment and continuous improvement and innovation on TQM in the hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach Data for the study were collected through an online survey and field visit from 384 employees in the Indian hospitality industry with a 76.80% response rate. Descriptive and exploratory statistics were utilized to analyze the data. Furthermore, these data were tested and validated using structural equation modeling by analysis of moment structures and SPSS software. Findings Findings revealed that employee involvement, continuous improvement and innovation and top management commitment have a significant and positive influence on TQM implementation in the hospitality industry. Additionally, empirical studies show that the link between these factors and TQM implementation is strong, especially when it comes to enhancing organizational quality and operational efficiency. The finding also indicates that implementing TQM practices leads to improved company performance, higher productivity and sustainable growth in the hospitality industry. Research limitations/implications The study is limited in its generalizability due to the small sample size, which focuses exclusively on the hospitality industry; however, in the future, similar studies may be carried out in other sectors also. Practical implications The study has significant managerial and practical implications for stakeholders across the Indian hospitality industry, including government agencies, policymakers, industry practitioners and business leaders. It suggests that effective implementation of TQM in hospitality may boost firms’ profitability through improved operational efficiencies and customer satisfaction. Originality/value The study contributes substantially to the literature by investigating the fact that there are very few studies on employee empowerment, continuous improvement, and quality management practices. Furthermore, effective implementation of TQM practices, such as green human resource management, customer retention strategies and sustainable development, can also be useful in improving the performance and productivity of the hospitality industry.