The Mediating Role of Human Resource Management Practices in the Relationship Between Total Quality Management (TQM) Dimensions and Job Satisfaction Among Ras Alkhaimah Police Officers

This study investigates the impact of Total Quality Management (TQM) on job satisfaction among police officers in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), emphasizing the mediating role of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices. TQM, as a continuous organizational initiative, integrates values, methodologies, and tools to enhance product and process quality, customer satisfaction, and resource efficiency. Within HRM, TQM promotes employee engagement, training, and teamwork which were the critical components in high-pressure fields such as law enforcement. The research explores how HRM practices such as recruitment, training, and performance evaluation contribute to effective policing and influence officers' job satisfaction. Understanding job satisfaction is essential, as dissatisfaction may lead to low morale, underperformance, and heightened risk of corruption. A quantitative case study approach was employed, collecting data through structured questionnaires from 361 police officers in Ras Al Khaimah, with the sample size determined using Krejcie and Morgan’s formula. The instruments were adapted from validated literature. Hypotheses testing revealed significant direct effects between TQM and job satisfaction (β = 0.907), TQM and HRM practices (β = 0.858), and HRM practices and job satisfaction (β = -0.244). Mediation analysis further confirmed a significant indirect effect of HRM practices on the relationship between TQM and job satisfaction. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of HRM practices in connecting TQM with job satisfaction, underscoring the need for strategic HRM interventions in implementing quality initiatives. This research contributes to advancing knowledge on organizational performance in the policing sector and highlights the importance of aligning quality management with human capital strategies to foster a committed, motivated, and highperforming police force.