From quality to sustainability: the role of innovative culture: the case of public hospitals

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to investigate the indirect effect of innovative culture (INVC) on the association between total quality management (TQM) and corporate sustainability (CS) in public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study is cross-sectional, and data were collected from 252 doctors and nurses of selected public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia using convenience sampling. The data was analyzed using Smart-PLS 4. FINDINGS: The findings indicate that innovative culture partially mediates the relationship between TQM and CS. Furthermore, TQM has a positive and significant influence on CS and INVC. The findings offer practical recommendations for implementing TQM principles in healthcare systems within emerging economies. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study has substantial managerial implications for hospital administrators who may desire to evaluate and use the findings described in this paper when establishing strategic goals, policies and decision-making. Furthermore, the findings of this research add knowledge to the body of literature regarding the mediating role of INVC in the relationship between TQM and CS. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The novelty of the study lies in examining the impact of innovative culture as a mediator in the association between TQM and CS in public hospitals.