Leadership, TQM, and Business Excellence: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda (2014–2024)

Abstract

This study presents a systematic review examining the relationships between leadership, total quality management (TQM), and business excellence (BE) through analysis of 656 research publications from 2014 to 2024. Using a rigorous systematic review methodology, we analyse publication trends, research contexts, and theoretical developments in the field. Our findings reveal that leadership behaviours and TQM practices significantly influence BE outcomes through various organisational elements, including strategy, information, customer, workforce, and process. The analysis shows increasing research interest in developing nations, with India, the UAE, and Malaysia leading contributions. This study suggests Stakeholder theory and the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory as underpinning theories for the proposed framework. We identify several research gaps, including limited investigation of digital transformation impacts, insufficient integration of Industry 4.0 concepts, and the need for more empirical studies in service sectors. This review contributes to theory by developing an integrated framework linking leadership, TQM, and BE elements while offering practical insights for implementing excellence frameworks across different organisational contexts. The findings inform future research and provide actionable guidance for organisations seeking to enhance performance and achieve sustainable excellence.