Quality management concepts, principles, tools and philosophies: A valid methodology for deployment within UK construction‐related SMEs
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
ISSN: 1726-0531
Article publication date: 3 April 2007
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this paper is to provide a practical approach for understanding the quality management (QM) terminology.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the existing QM measurement instruments available in literature, the terminology used is classified into constructs, practices and finally tools or techniques. QM may then be viewed as a combination of the three sets of terminology. This paper reports on the research which investigated the implementation of TQM within the constructional‐related SMEs.
Findings
The study classified the broad areas of where SMEs can align their TQM applications, into one of the following areas: customer‐oriented TQM, supplier‐oriented TQM, HRM‐oriented TQM, or process‐oriented. These four dimensions were deemed to be interrelated and mutually support each other.
Originality/value
This study contributes to clarifying the conflicting results being reported in the QM literature which inevitably leads to having different levels of analysis of QM. Accordingly, the strength of QM compared with other business philosophies should then focus on the practical methodology, namely the practices and techniques.
Keywords
Citation
Chileshe, N. (2007), "Quality management concepts, principles, tools and philosophies: A valid methodology for deployment within UK construction‐related SMEs", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 49-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/17260530710746605
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited