This study examines the mediating effects of physical/engineering asset management on the relationship between continuous quality improvement and business performance. Using empirical data based on survey data from six European countries (i.e. Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Turkey), this study used mediation analysis to address the research problem. A macro for SPSS was used to estimate the size of an indirect effect of continuous quality improvement on business performance by a proposed mediator. The results of this study show that physical asset management mediates the effect of continuous quality improvement on business performance. This study provides valuable insights into mechanisms that have the potential to improve business performance. The results contribute to a better understanding of how companies could achieve higher performance outcomes through the introduction of continuous quality improvement and through physical asset management practices.