Abstract: Abstract: Based on Chongqing manufacturing firms, the mediating role of quality management between advanced manufacturing technology and firm performance is empirically studied by using the bootstrap-based structural equation modeling. The result of three-step mediation test indicates that the direct effect of advanced manufacturing technology on firm performance is insignificant. Advanced manufacturing technology has significant direct impacts on the quality management and the latter on the firm performance. Quality management practices fully mediate the relations between advanced manufacturing technology and firm performance. Further analysis on mediating effects shows that through its transmissive function on core and infrastructure practices of quality management, eventually advanced manufacturing technology indirectly improves firm performance via workforce management practice and process flow management practice.

Key words: advanced manufacturing technology, quality management, performance, bootstrap, structural equation modeling