Total Quality Management Practices and Operational Performance of Table Water Producers in Edo State

This study examined the impact of Total Quality Management (TQM) practices on the operational performance of table water manufacturing firms in Edo State, Nigeria. The research specifically assessed the relationships between lean production, leadership, benchmarking, customer relationship management (CRM), and operational outcomes. Adopting a survey research design, the population consisted of managers from registered table water production firms, with a valid sample size of 446 respondents. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires and analysed through descriptive and inferential statistical techniques via SPSS Version 24.0. The findings revealed that lean production, leadership, and CRM had statistically significant and positive effects on operational performance. Although benchmarking exhibited a positive correlation, it was not statistically significant. Among the examined TQM constructs, CRM demonstrated the strongest influence on performance. The study further established a robust overall correlation between TQM practices and operational performance, with regression analysis confirming TQM as a significant predictor of operational efficiency. Consequently, it is recommended that table water producers prioritise CRM, strengthen lean production processes, and enhance leadership capacity to improve performance outcomes. Additionally, continuous improvement through strategic adoption of TQM should be promoted across the industry.