Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of soft TQM practices (i.e. Leadership, Training
and development, Customer focus, Teamwork, Management commitment, Rewards and recognition,
Empowerment, Organizational communication, Organizational trust) on employees’ turnover intention and to
investigate how employee attitudes (i.e. Job satisfaction, Job involvement, and Organizational commitment)
mediate the impact of soft TQM practices on employees’ turnover intention. The sample was selected based on the
simple random sampling technique. Multiple organizations were chosen from the apparel sector located in the
Western Province because TQM practices were likely to be sophisticated and established in this sector. The unit
of analysis in the study is individual employees. Data are analyzed by using Factor analysis, Reliability
coefficients, descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study reveal that Leadership
and Teamwork has the highest impact on employees’ turnover intention while Organizational trust also indicates
a way to impact on turnover intention. Job satisfaction and Job involvement mediate the relationship due to
teamwork and organizational trust totally (perfect mediation) while the relationship due to leadership partially.
This study contributes in advancing the TQM research literature to a better understanding of the association
between TQM practices and employees’ turnover intention within the context of Sri Lankan Apparel industry.
