For eons the concept of TQM has been widely used by organization, company, teams and firms in different countries to improve efficiency, effectiveness and quality, a factor that acts as impetus to maintaining competitive advantage and effective human resource management. Indeed in the contemporary business word marred by stiff competition, for any firm or organization to have an upper advantage and survive, it must adopt approaches, aimed at promoting customer satisfaction, product quality and market growth.
The model approach presented by TQM is one that over the years , has found acceptance in the avant-garde business environment with special emphasis' directed towards total quality management .In some cases a holistic approach is needed for organization to maximize the TQM approach. In light of this paper seeks to critically analyse TQM in UK firms. To achieve this, the history, benefits, theoretical approaches and techniques of TQM will be subsequently critically explained with emphasis on case studies and contemporary approaches in UK with special emphasis on SMEs.
According to Deming, (1982), TQM connotes to a philosophical concept, which incorporates a management system for a customer focused organization that involves all employee in continual improvement of all aspects of the organization. Indeed according to analysts it uses strategy, data, and effective communication to integrate the quality principles into a company's and organisations culture (Powell, 1995).Here an organization can integrate different approaches, to align its product, service, management styles to its culture.
[...] C ‘Total quality management as competitive advantage: a review and empirical study', Strategic Management Journal, Vol No pp. 15-37. Thareja P ‘Total Quality Organization Thru' People, Each one is Capable', FOUNDRY, Vol. XX, No Roethlisberger, F. J. and Dickson, W. J ‘Management and the worker', Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA Rose, Kenneth H Project Quality Management: Why, What and How,: J. Ross Publishing, Fort Lauderdale, Florida p Sohal, A.S. and Lu, E. (1998), ``Continuous quality improvements in a high- technology manufacturing environment'', International Journal of Technology Management, Vol Nos pp. [...]
[...] As demonstrated in the following diagram. Source; (Deming, W. E. 1986) 3.1 Consumer focus Based on the pioneers of the TQM, any company initiative should be aimed at the customer's satisfaction. Indeed this principle remains the core principle for any company in the process of TQM. Analysts accentuate that emphasis' should not only be on quality products to customers rather it should also incorporate, the service delivery to the final consumer or customer (Yusof, 2000). This will involve a number of factors such as; providing information to customers on the products, lead-time management by ensuring that customers do not incur the effects of lead-time in the supply chain management, feedback to customers through constant interaction and question feedback, giving crucial information in the company's website, and importantly conducting market research and survey on customer requirements. [...]
[...] Though the TQM concept gain wide acceptance during those period, it's imperative to note that organisations were consequently using the various strategies attributed to the concept. Subsequently according to Bemowski (1992), TQM was initially coined in 1985 by the American Naval Air Systems Command. This was to describe its Japanese-style management approach of quality improvement. However the concept in the United State was a product of influence of introduction of Japanese products in America and consequent works of Crosby, Deming and Feigenbamun.From the works of these pioneer scholars integrated the quality control issues to give birth to what is currently referred to as TQM. [...]
[...] Selden 1998, ‘Sales Process Engineering: An Emerging Quality Application', Quality Progress: 59–63. Westcott, Russell T Stepping Up To ISO 9004: 2000: A Practical Guide For Creating A World-class Organization, Paton Press. p Yusof, S.M `Development of a framework for TQM implementation in small businesses', unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Birmingham, Birmingham Yusof, S.M. and Aspinwall, E `Total quality management implementation frameworks: comparison and review', Total Quality Management, Vol No pp. 281-94. Yusof, S.M. and Aspinwall, E conceptual framework for TQM implementation for SMEs', TQM Magazine, Vol No pp. 31-6. [...]
[...] In light of this paper seeks to critically analyse TQM in UK firms. To achieve this, the history, benefits, theoretical approaches and techniques of TQM will be subsequently critically explained with emphasis on case studies and contemporary approaches in UK with special emphasis on SMEs 1.0 Introduction According to Deming, (1982), TQM connotes to a philosophical concept, which incorporates a management system for a customer focused organization that involves all employee in continual improvement of all aspects of the organization. [...]
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