This study examines the role that Total Quality Management (TQM) mediates in enhancing supply chain integration and its impact on sustainable performance in the manufacturing industry. Supply chain integration, encompassing internal, supplier, and customer integration, is crucial in achieving sustainable performance by optimizing resource utilization, reducing costs, and improving operational efficiency. However, the extent of its effectiveness depends on the presence of robust quality management practices. The study hypothesizes that TQM mediates the relationship between supply chain integration and sustainable performance by fostering continuous improvement, process standardization, and quality assurance. Using survey data from 177 manufacturing professionals in Saudi Arabia, analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study confirms that internal, supplier and customer integration positively impact sustainable performance. Furthermore, TQM significantly enhances this relationship by ensuring that integrated supply chain processes align with sustainability goals. The findings highlight that companies with strong TQM practices achieve better environmental, social, and economic sustainability outcomes. The mediation analysis confirms that TQM strengthens the link between integration practices and sustainability outcomes, acting as a catalyst for translating collaborative efforts into tangible, high-quality, and sustainable results. This research underscores the importance of integrating quality management frameworks within supply chain strategies to enhance long-term sustainability and competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector.

Keywords

Total Quality Management, Supply Chain Integration, Sustainable Performance, PLS-SEM