Search results

Total quality management (TQM) has been widely brought into action to improve the business’s essence in industries. In Taiwan, the computer and its peripheral industry is becoming a real global business. Most of the companies are buying and selling goods and services all through the world’s business community. The current progress toward TQM is one of the most noteworthy changes in Taiwan’s computer and its peripheral industry. Uses questionnaires to survey the implementation issues of TQM in the computer and its peripheral industry in Taiwan. A total of 40 companies responded to the questionnaires in the survey. Observing the survey results, the quality performances of most Taiwan’s computer and its peripheral companies are still vulnerable. Meanwhile, the training programs of related quality management techniques need further conduct to improve the quality management system.

Notes the spread of organizational efforts at continuous improvement using a total quality management (TQM) strategy throughout the global marketplace, and that the factors and practices which lead to quality improvement are indeed well documented. Points out that, while most organizations which start TQM efforts are motivated to succeed, they are frequently exposed to the factors which may cause their TQM efforts to struggle or even fail. Details research in which 137 managers from practising TQM organizations were asked to assess their perceptions of TQM on a host of critical issues associated with long‐term continuous improvement, and were asked to identify specific reasons why quality problems still existed in their organizations. Finds that these managers believe that TQM efforts improve quality, yet they also described a host of problems which can plague organizations well advanced in the TQM process. Maintains that an understanding of these problems can provide needed help for companies involved in long‐term continuous improvement efforts.

Describes the results of a survey in manufacturing, distribution and service organizations concerning total quality management (TQM). These results proved that an effective TQM programme should contain consistent training of all employees; significant improvement in communication between departments; and development of the standards to measure and control the cost of quality. Based on the survey results, identifies quantitative relationships between quality improvement characteristics and different internal factors. Statistical regression models developed revealed leading predictors of a successful TQM programme.

Research was undertaken on the effects of quality improvement activities on business performance. The investigation began by developing a classification system to ensure all business performance benefits (tangible and intangible) were included for analysis. Questionnaires and structured interviews, involving the participation of over 200 companies, were used as the main tools for the investigation. An analysis of the results enabled a TQM quality activity model to be developed which classify 65 quality activities by their prime effect. This model was designed to assist companies in the planning of TQM and the targeting of quality activities. The research identified the difficulties organizations and researchers have in measuring the effects of quality activities.

Assesses the latest revisions to the ISO 9000 quality system, which seek to embrace the principles of total quality management (TQM) more closely. Highlights some of the TQM elements introduced into the system, such as: quality improvement; management commitment with a greater emphasis on executive roles; operational processes showing linkages to the overall system; and customer satisfaction. Compares the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems and discusses the practicality of the revised ISO 9000 system as a highway to TQM.

The perceived advantages of the implementation of TQM are generating improved quality and efficiency, increasing customer satisfaction, thus improving competitiveness. However, there is a high failure rate in the implementation of TQM. The key issue in this regard is that companies have devoted relatively little attention to human resources management (HRM). Several academics and practitioners have asserted that synergy and congruence among HRM practices are critical to the implementation of TQM. However, there is relatively little empirical evidence to support this contention. The purpose of this research is to conduct an empirical study on high‐tech firms, in order to analyse the impacts of HRM practices on the implementation of TQM.

In this study, a research framework related to HRM practices, TQM practices, and quality performances was developed. Based on the framework, a questionnaire was designed and sent to the HR managers or chief executive officers (CEOs) of high‐tech companies in Taiwan to investigate the effect of HRM practices on the implementation and practice of TQM.

The study confirms that HRM significantly affects TQM practices. The study concluded that HRM practices have a significantly positive effect on the implementation of TQM. Implementing HRM practices can also have a significant effect on employee and customer satisfaction. It also positively affected “employees' quality awareness” and “corporate image”. The quality performances were also significantly affected by the implementation of TQM.

The research limitation is that the empirical study was on high‐tech firms in Taiwan only. However, the framework can be easily extended to other industries if survey results are available.

Overall, successful implementation of TQM can lead to an increase in customer satisfaction, and then benefit corporate image. It can also improve the satisfaction and quality awareness of employees. Enterprises that devote themselves to the implementation of TQM also need to perform HRM aggressively, if they are to increase the firm's performance significantly.

In this research, a conceptual framework related to HRM practices and TQM practices was developed, which is a valuable reference for future research. This study confirms the impacts of HRM practices on the implementation of TQM, and several key practices can be investigated.

Total quality management (TQM) promises much for service industries yet it has been little used in European healthcare. Of those hospitals and services which have implemented TQM, few have had great success and many have found difficulties sustaining their programmes. This paper defines TQM in healthcare and considers examples and results of TQM in European healthcare. It distinguishes between team projects using TQM methods and organization‐wide TQM programmes, and finds more evidence for the success of projects than for programmes. The paper discusses whether the differences between healthcare and many other industries explain the mixed results, and considers the prospects for future TQM programmes in European healthcare.

Discusses how the term TQM often conjures up different things to different people. In order to help clear up this confusion identifies four phases of TQM. Contends the theme is the implementation in practice of two major shifts in management thinking towards people and towards customers. Describes the four phases in the evolution of TQM. Exemplifies the evolution of TQM in the Ford Motor Company. Concludes that recognising the four stages brings clarity to an increasingly confusing terminology. Asserts it can also be a useful diagnostic tool when deciding how an organization should make practical use of the profusion of TQM techniques.

The topic is restricted to the components of total quality management (TQM), in which a set of values, tools and techniques unites the descriptions of TQM. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact on an additional core value of the components of TQM, namely the sustainability of values, tools and techniques.

A strategic perspective of sustainable quality management is applied, rather than tactical and operative ones. The term “sustainable quality management” is used.

The paper contends that quality management (in general) and TQM (in particular) should be scrutinised by stressing the sustainability of values, tools and techniques.

Sustainable quality management provides a potential to improve and extend the theory generation and the best practices of TQM in the future. An important area for further research is to examine the extent of sustainable quality management practices beyond the organisational boundaries and traditional channel structures. Sustainable quality management is complex to implement and evaluate.

The paper provides theoretical and managerial ideas and insights in order to anticipate and avoid the non‐sustainability of TQM practices.

One contribution is a model of a circulation approach to TQM. Another contribution is a model of the sustainability of TQM, which connects and reconnects corporate values, tools and techniques in quality management.