Total Quality Management (TQM)

Essay by cannibal28018 September 2007

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Total Quality Management has been defined by "International Organizations for Standardization" (ISO) as "TQM is a management approach for an organization, centered on quality, based on the participation of all its members and aiming at long-term success through customer satisfaction, and benefits to all members of the organization and to society." (Wikipedia) What this means is that in every organization must strive to improve quality. I order to reach this goal upper management must be involved in every aspect of the organization. Organizations must find out what the customer wants. All employees must be trained and they should all be focused on the same goal of giving there customers satisfaction. This should be a continual process that continuously changes over time. Many organizations have adapted TQM programs. In the following paper, I will discuss in more detail some of the changes organizations have adopted.

Globalization has had a great impact on quality in organizations.

Technology has increased globalization; therefore there is more competition from all over the world. With all the advancement in computer technology there is increased and more efficient communication all over the world. Organizations must implement new strategies to continually improve quality. Customers have more choices because of globalization. Customers want the best quality for the best price. Companies like Federal Express can deliver overnight from anywhere in the world.

Management styles have changed over the years. Traditionally upper management's job was to monitor, supervise and control the employees. They would implement rules that had to be followed by those below them. Employees had no say in the development of the organization. They were not allowed to use their creativity. Traditional upper management was resistant to making changes.

Those management styles are no longer effective in today's organizations. In order for organizations to provide the best...