LEVERING UP PERFORMANCE THROUGH QUALITY AND KNOWLEDGE CREATION

The objective of this research is to explore the relationships between values, values' fit, and quality management with organizational performance, and to investigate the mediating role of knowledge management creation between these three antecedents of organizational performance. Aiming this purpose, a mixed-methodology approach was conducted. First step was performing quantitative research through a questionnaire on two different samples (one for the exploratory factor analysis and another for the research model). The second step consisted on qualitative research based on semi-structured interviews. The posited hypotheses are tested statistically through Structural Equation Modelling technique. The results show that quality management and knowledge creation have significant and positive impact on organizational performance. This research makes an original contribution to the existing literature by proposing new scales of the constructs that are analysed. Results suggest ground-breaking and unexpected ideas regarding values, values' congruence and the role of knowledge management with organizational performance. This study also has practical implications for managers.