The Relationship between Soft Total Quality Management, Innovative Organizational Culture, Green Innovation, and Sustainability in the Logistics Industry

Aannicha Thunyachairat; Siritida Songkhwan; Chanchai Meathawiroon

doi:10.30657/pea.2026.32.46

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The Relationship between Soft Total Quality Management, Innovative Organizational Culture, Green Innovation, and Sustainability in the Logistics Industry

Production Engineering Archives

Volume 32 (2026): Issue 4 (December 2026)

By: Aannicha Thunyachairat, Siritida Songkhwan and Chanchai Meathawiroon

Open Access

|Oct 2026

Abstract

This study examines the interrelationships among Soft Total Quality Management (Soft TQM), innovative organizational culture, green innovation, and sustainability within Thailand’s logistics industry. The sector plays a crucial economic role while facing significant environmental chal-lenges, necessitating sustainable transformation. Using stratified random sampling, data were collected from 314 organizational members, including owners, shareholders, and operational-level employees of registered logistics companies. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test six hypotheses. The findings reveal that Soft TQM significantly influences innovative organizational culture (β = 0.558, p < 0.001) and green innovation (β = 0.191, p = 0.003), but does not directly impact sustainability (β = 0.139, p = 0.061). Innovative organizational culture positively affects both green innovation (β = 0.363, p < 0.001) and sustainability (β = 0.178, p = 0.009). Green innovation demonstrates a significant positive effect on sustainability (β = 0.308, p < 0.001). These results indicate that Soft TQM operates as a fundamental enabler rather than a direct driver of sustainability, requiring complementary mechanisms through innovative culture and green innovation. The study provides actionable insights for logistics managers to integrate soft management practices with innovation-oriented culture and environmental initiatives, supporting Thailand’s sustainable development objectives.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30657/pea.2026.32.46 | Journal eISSN: 2353-7779 | Journal ISSN: 2353-5156

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Language: English

Page range: 563 - 580

Submitted on: Feb 2, 2026

Accepted on: Jun 19, 2026

Published online: Oct 25, 2026

Published in print: Dec 1, 2026

Published by: Quality and Production Managers Association

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Soft Total Quality Management,

Innovative Organizational Culture,

Green Innovation,

Sustainability,

Logistics Industry

Related subjects:

Business and economics,

Business management,

Business management, other,

Engineering,

Mechanical engineering,

Production technology,

Process engineering and industrial engineering,

Materials sciences,

Materials sciences, other

© 2026 Aannicha Thunyachairat, Siritida Songkhwan, Chanchai Meathawiroon, published by Quality and Production Managers Association
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 32 (2026): Issue 4 (December 2026)