Do KM and TQM have an impact on employee effectiveness and supply chain performance?

Purpose Companies should enhance their market position and competitiveness by improving staff effectiveness, skills, resource commitment, and applying relevant managerial methods. This study aims to examine the impact of knowledge management (KM) and total quality management (TQM) on employee effectiveness (EE) and supply chain performance (SCP) in emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach The used methodology consists on conducting a survey within Tunisian companies, where the authors gathered 206 responses. Collected data was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software, enabling the authors to establish a conceptual model. This model was further examined through structural equation modeling, using analysis of moment structures (AMOS) software for hypothesis validation. Additionally, the authors’ research aimed to enhance SCP and boost EE while minimizing costs through a nonlinear mathematical model and the quality function deployment method. Findings The results indicate that TQM and KM positively impact EE, and KM and EE positively impact SCP. However, the significance of employee performance on SCP varies depending on company location and industry sector studied. Originality/value This work emphasized the involvement of small- and medium-sized enterprise managers from emerging economies in the studied concepts and confirmed the effects of KM and TQM practices on EE and SCP.