Developing TQM implementation constructs
Constructs are a set of latent variables and they cannot be measured directly. As an
example, top management commitment to quality is a construct, which is not directly
measurable. To measure this construct, we have to use (surrogate) variables, such as
top management’s encouragement for employee involvement in TQM and
improvement activities, and allocation of adequate resources, etc. These variables
are expressions of top management’s commitment. To undertake a field study, each
variable would be measured with an item in a scale. The items in the scale should span
sufficiently the scope of the construct for content validity (Lawshe, 1975).