**3.2 Measurement of variables**

A survey method was used for all the variables in the present study. Respondents were asked to indicate their levels of agreement with descriptive statements using a 5 point Likert scale (range, 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree).

*Quality management*. To measure the effectiveness of integrated quality management, following the study by Vanichchinchai and Igel [37] and Coyle-Shapiro [38], the present research employed the following seven variables:


*Organizational learning capability*. Based on the study by [28] learning capability was operationalized as top executive commitment, system perspectives, organizational experimentations, and knowledge transfer initiatives.

*Organizational Innovations.* Exploring new ways of things in the organization requires managerial decisions on innovations and reallocation of valued resources toward new processes, products, and services [9, 35]. Following the study by Parjogo et al., innovation performance was operationalized as product/service innovation, performance innovation, and overall organizational innovations.

*Organizational Performance.* Organizational performance can be defined as the desired outcome within organizations. Performance is multi-dimensional and may be measured as such. Following the study by Santos and Brito [39], the present research operationalized performance as employee satisfaction, response to environmental changes, sustainability, customer satisfaction, and projected revenue from new products/services.
