The current research uses the principles of reinforcement theory of motivation and selfdetermination theory and investigates how motivation and rewards impact on job performance of employees. Motivation and rewards are examined from intrinsic and extrinsic perspectives, while job performance is measured from the task and contextual performance aspects. The mediating effect of job satisfaction has also been investigated between motivation, rewards, and job performance. Using five points Likert scale, the researchers collected data from the managerial and non-managerial staff working in manufacturing and services firms. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was followed to collect 422 empirical responses. The collected data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique. The results indicated that reward and motivation affect employee job performance positively significantly. However, the dimensional analysis indicated an insignificant impact of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on contextual performance. Besides, the findings substantiate that the relationship between rewards, motivation, and employees' job performance depends on job satisfaction. The current research provides valuable insights to senior management of manufacturing and services firms on how they can enhance their employees' job satisfaction and performance by following different motivational and reward approaches in different size firms.

PurposeThe current study probes the multi-dimensional link between total quality management (TQM) and knowledge management (KM) and investigates how different TQM's dimensions impacts KM processes and how this nexus impacts organizational performance (operational and financial performance) by considering KM as an intermediating variable between TQM and organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachSix TQM practices are taken from “Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award”, namely leadership, customer focus, strategic planning, human resource management, process management and information and analysis; KM processes include knowledge creation, acquisition, sharing and application and organizational performance comprises operational and financial performance. The researcher put together data from different sized services and manufacturing firms, from small, to medium and large firms located in the United Kingdom (UK).FindingsThe results suggested that a positive correlation existed between TQM, KM and organizational performance. KM is also shown to have quite a strong and positive influence on firm operational and financial performance and partially mediates the relationship between TQM and corporate performance. Dimensional analysis indicates that leadership, strategic planning, customer focus and HRM have a significant positive impact on all KM process, while mixed results have been found for process management and information and analysis. The contextual analysis indicates that except for knowledge creation, TQM plays an equally significant role for the majority of manufacturing establishments and services firms.Originality/valueThe present research makes a significant contribution to the scarce literature on the relationship between TQM and KM (mainly at dimensional level), particularly in the context of the UK, and provides a detailed understanding of the relations between different TQM and KM dimensions, and how their relationship impacts on the operational and financial performance of different sizes of manufacturing and services firms.HighlightsTotal quality management (TQM) enhances firms' knowledge management (KM) capabilitiesKM partially mediates the relationship between TQM and firms' performanceLeadership, customer focus and process management indicated insignificant impact on knowledge creationTQM and KM are equally important for all sizes manufacturing and services firms

Current research examines the impact of academic and familial stress on students' depression levels and the subsequent impact on their academic performance based on Lazarus' cognitive appraisal theory of stress. The non-probability convenience sampling technique has been used to collect data from undergraduate and postgraduate students using a modified questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. This study used the SEM method to examine the link between stress, depression, and academic performance. It was confirmed that academic and family stress leads to depression among students, negatively affecting their academic performance and learning outcomes. This research provides valuable information to parents, educators, and other stakeholders concerned about their childrens' education and performance.

PurposeBased on the principles of the human capital theory, this study investigates the role of the quality management system (QMS) in higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing successful employability attributes among graduates. Considering industry as a prominent stakeholder in academia, the authors took industry–academia collaboration as the mediating variable.Design/methodology/approachUsing the European Foundation for Quality Management model, the author analyzed how QMS in public HEIs located in London, the United Kingdom (UK), impacts business management, computer science and engineering students' employability. Following the nonprobability convenience sampling technique, this study included data from 324 local and international students.FindingsThe structural analysis identified QMS as a significant factor in enhancing students' employability, and industry–academia collaboration is found to act as a partial mediator in this relationship.Originality/valueThe management of HEIs in developing countries can take valuable guidelines from this study and integrate QMS in their institutions in developing their students' employability, as it is being done by HEIs in the UK.

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