Search results

Business innovation, that is, the adaptation of management systems to the changing conditions of the environment, is a key factor for organisations if they wish to survive and grow. Total quality management (TQM) has demonstrated its potential to be a successful way for organisations to elimintate costs, improve productivity and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. However, are TQM and business innovation compatible? The advantages and disadvantages to TQM as a means of developing and facilitating business innovations are discussed in this paper. It is argued that TQM does not hinder business innovation and some of its dimensions can assist an organsation to be more innovative. The compatibility of reengineering, which is a form of business innovation, with TQM is also considered in the paper, along with the effects of TQM on the successful implementation of information technologies.

Attempts to define what is meant by sustaining total quality management (TQM) and identifies three key features: individual TQM elements, the overall process of improvement, and holding of the gains made. Suggests that the improvement efforts of an organization should be classified into these three features. Concludes that these three features will hopefully improve the diagnostic process and guide management in deciding on forms of action.

This paper explores the application of total quality management (TQM) to public sector organisations. The examination of the operating characteristics of these organisations has been made against ten dimensions of TQM (e.g. supplier relationships and workforce management) identified and defined by the authors using the academic literature. From the examination TQM is found to be of benefit to public sector organisations but particular characteristics of their operation, in particular, the lack of understanding of customer satisfaction issues, the contentment of managers and staff to work to rules and regulations and observe precedent, and the lack of internal drive and motivation to improve processes, make the TQM intervention more difficult. It is also observed that regulatory bodies can provide the incentive to improve, acting in the same role as demanding customers in a competitive situation.

The purpose of this paper is to know, from a three-dimensional perspective (operational, emotional and behavioral), the process of “putting down roots” related with the implementation of Kaizen until it becomes sustainable. The research aims to know how this “putting down roots” process is carried out, what transformations occur, what elements are involved and what role they represent in achieving sustainability.

For this purpose, a methodology based on the case study has been used, an interpretive approach to reality has been adopted as a paradigm and the Grounded Theory has been applied as an analytical technique.

The results suggest the existence of a transformation process that leads to creating new habits, beliefs and feelings, a phenomenon that the authors identify as a three-dimensional learning process (operational, emotional and behavioral).

This type of learning is perceived as a transition toward an organizational culture that ensures the roots of the Kaizen principles, which is essential for its sustainability and which favors the creation of talent and the well-being of employees, two challenges that the Kaizen of the twenty-first century must face.

The document includes innovative contributions to the Kaizen sustainability phenomenon, as it is dealt with from a three-dimensional perspective that underlies the inhibitors and enablers known in the current literature.

Earlier this year Dr Barrie Dale led a quality fact‐finding mission to Japan. Eighteen European managers had a unique opportunity of seeing first‐hand the Japanese approach to Total Quality. This review provides insights into their quality practices and identifies the key elements common to all successful Japanese organisations.

Starting the journey towards Total Quality Management can be very complex. The author has surveyed delegates to TQM conferences to see how far down the road their companies are progressing.

In this paper we describe the context for the three year project “Quality and the Human Resource Dimension” funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

The UMIST Quality Management Centre is involved in four main activities: (i) research into Total Quality Management, (ii) the operation of a TQM Multi‐Company Teaching Programme involving eight industrial collaborators at any one time, (iii) the Centre houses the Ford Motor Company Regional Training Centre for training suppliers in total quality excellence and statistical process control, and (iv) TQM consultancy, including the Q‐Share initiative. This latter activity is carried out by Q‐MAS Ltd. (a campus based company in which UMIST has a significant shareholding).

Reports on a survey, carried out in 1990, to ascertain the level of training and research needs in the European business community. Attempts to define what exactly TQM means to an organization. Indicates that European organizations do not invest adequate sums of money in TQM education and training. Concludes that top management commitment levels could be improved, and that more relationships between businesses and academic institutions need to be forged.