Total Quality Management Initiatives Research Articles

Assessing the Impact of Organizational Culture on the Sustainability of TQM Programs

This study investigates how organizational culture affects the long-term viability of Total Quality Management (TQM) initiatives. TQM, a holistic management strategy that emphasizes customer satisfaction as the means of achieving long-term success, needs a supporting corporate culture to be successful. In order to create a TQM environment that is sustainable, this research examines a number of cultural elements, including leadership, communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement. The study finds critical cultural characteristics that have a major impact on the durability and efficacy of TQM projects using a mixed-methods approach that includes surveys and case studies from a variety of industries. Results show that TQM initiatives are more likely to be effectively sustained in firms with a strong collaborative culture, open communication, and leadership commitment to quality. It is more likely for firms to successfully maintain TQM programs when there is a strong culture of collaboration, open communication, and leadership commitment to quality. The research ends with suggestions for developing an organizational culture that upholds and reflects TQM's core values, strengthening the methodology's overall viability and influence on company performance.

TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Total Quality Management (TQM) is an integrative philosophy aimed at continuously improving the quality of products, services, and processes within an organization. TQM emphasizes customer satisfaction, process optimization, and a commitment to excellence at all levels of the organization. Administrative Information Systems (AIS) play a crucial role in supporting TQM initiatives by providing accurate, timely, and relevant information necessary for decision-making and performance assessment. This abstract explores the relationship between TQM and AIS, highlighting how AIS can enhance TQM implementation. The integration of AIS within TQM frameworks facilitates the efficient collection, processing, and dissemination of data, enabling organizations to monitor quality metrics effectively, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions promptly. The synergy between TQM and AIS leads to improved organizational performance, enhanced customer satisfaction, and a culture of continuous improvement. By leveraging AIS, organizations can achieve better alignment of their strategic goals with quality objectives, foster a data-driven decision-making environment, and sustain long-term competitive advantage. This study underscores the importance of AIS in TQM practices, emphasizing that the successful implementation of TQM relies significantly on the robust support of comprehensive administrative information systems.

Mapping the TQM implementation approaches and their impact on realizing leadership in Indian tyre manufacturing industry

PurposeThis paper attempts to investigate the approaches used for implementing total quality management (TQM) practices and study its impact on ABC India Limited (Name changed), a tyre manufacturing industry for realizing leadership in the Indian market. The other objectives are to explore the key issues faced by the company before TQM and study the benefits achieved after TQM implementation.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual case study research methodology has been utilized in this paper. The industry was facing some major business challenges such as low productivity, financial issues and low market presence since 1996. To overcome these issues, the top management of the industry adopted TQM as a business improvement tool and started its implementation in 2008.FindingsA good number of improvement initiatives under four TQM approaches such as management approach, development approach, improvement approach and involvement approach were performed systematically and strategically. As a result of the successful implementation of TQM initiatives, the industry received the most prestigious quality award namely Deming Prize in 2017.Research limitations/implicationsWith the implementation of the TQM philosophy in the industry, it gained the top market position, the customer satisfaction score increased from 75 to 81, market presence increased from 7.2% to 26.3% and the percentage participation of employees increased by 73.5% within a period from 2009 to 2016.Originality/valueThe novelty of this research is to consider a case-based approach that will be helpful in promoting the utilization of the TQM philosophy in other industries for gaining competitive advantages.

Synergistic effect of TQM-SCM initiatives in organizational performance: evidence from the service (logistics) sector

PurposeThis study aims to explore the synergetic effects of total quality management and supply chain management (TQM–SCM) initiatives and their effects on organizational performance (OP). This research has been conducted in Pakistan’s logistics sector. The research reveals the synergistic effect of TQM and SCM initiatives and their effects on OP.Design/methodology/approachThe constructs of the TQM and SCM were chosen after reviewing the literature that was critical for the logistics sector. The synergetic effect of TQM–SCM on OP has been evaluated. The mediating, direct and indirect effects were also evaluated in different models independently. Structural equation modelling was applied to drive the results via using AMOS.FindingsIt was observed during the analysis that both the TQM and SCM have a significant effect on OP. Both TQM initiatives have directly correlated to the improvement in SCM, and both have a positive effect on an organization. This research study has aided logistics firms that are focusing on TQM and SCM planning and implementation. The results can give management a better and more in-depth knowledge of the TQM initiatives and OP.Research limitations/implicationsThe data was collected through email and personal visits from different organizations. The data was collected through an adopted questionnaire. It is found in the study that many people at the managerial level have limited knowledge regarding SCM and TQM. The results may vary if the knowledge of the employees is improved.Practical implicationsThe current study presents an upscale addition by examining the function of SCM and TQM linkage in OP as well as their relationship. The evaluated model serves as a guideline for firms looking to expand and achieve maximal OP.Social implicationsText.Originality/valueThe evaluated model is developed in this study that serves as a guideline for firms looking to expand a new method to reach maximum OP.

Does the ferry sector need soft total quality management practices? Evidence from an Italian ferry company

PurposeThe study aims to deepen existing knowledge on the specific role of soft total quality management (TQM) practices in the ferry sector. Over the last decade, TQM practices have been thoroughly restructured, allowing us to develop an appropriate framework through which the relevance of each practice to this particular sector can be explained.Design/methodology/approachA narrative case study has been conducted to enhance the quality orientation and soft TQM practices adopted by a medium-sized company in the ferry sector.FindingsThe study identifies five soft TQM practices that offer valuable contributions in terms of quality orientation. These are organised into a configurational and systemic approach according to a three-level framework. At the macro level, a customer-orientated approach is paramount, as this orientation clearly points out the fundamental values of TQM. Coherently, at the micro-level, employees should be trained, involved, and empowered to truly internalise and behave according to a quality orientation. At the meso-level, dedicated leadership should support these practices and foster their effectiveness across the organisational structure.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this study is related to its narrative analysis. More empirically-grounded research should be used in the future to test the validity of the model.Practical implicationsTQM practices can leverage soft aspects, finding mutual integrations and offering reciprocal support if a bundle of practices is enforced and co-present across several layers of an organisational structure.Originality/valueThe model offers a configurational approach to help the ferry sector in leveraging soft TQM practices to implement TQM initiatives successfully. This is subject to external contingencies and thus requires adaptability and flexibility.

Exploring the impact of total quality management initiatives on construction industry projects in Pakistan.

The impact of total quality management on organizational performance has been studied extensively, however, the impact of total quality management initiatives on project performance is an area of ongoing research. The key objective of this research is to explore the impact of total quality management initiatives on project performance in the construction industry of Pakistan. Data was collected from 326 personnel working at different management levels across some of the leading construction firms operating in Pakistan. Analysis revealed that operational focus, management commitment, and employee involvement were deemed as dominant total quality management factors affecting project performance in the construction industry. Mediation analysis revealed a significant relationship between employee involvement and project performance mediated by management commitment. Research limitations and directions for future research have also been identified.

Evaluation of Total Quality Management using MCDM Method

To "develop and create a sustainable climate in which employees consistently enhance their ability to offer products and services that fulfill their needs," total quality management (TQM) entails efforts on the part of the entire business. The literature claims that several components make up quality management, including crucial elements, tools, methodologies, and procedures. The objective is this thesis to define Total Quality Management (TQM) and make managers aware of its elements, facilitating the implementation of quality control. Total quality management (TQM) has recently taken up as a social movement in the US. This analysis revisits the movement's original texts to evaluate its coherence, uniqueness, and probable persistence, as well as its provocative management philosophy. We find various knowledge gaps regarding TQM processes and results and examine connections between TQM principles and behavioral science understanding of human motivation, learning, and societal change. Total Quality Management (TQM) is a method of management that focuses on long-term success through customer satisfaction. In a TQM initiative, every employee of an organization participates in improving their workplace processes, products, and services. Many businesses have concentrated on total quality management (TQM) over the past ten years as a way to increase earnings, market share, and competitiveness. An attempt is made to review the condition of the TQM literature in this essay. Literature is categorized based on the article's content and procedural difficulties. The literature uses conceptual, descriptive, empirical, cross-sectional, and longitudinal techniques as its methodologies. Weighted Total Product Assessment (WASPAS) analysis used the results to provide a must read decision makers with these Employee relations, training, quality data and reporting, Supplier quality management, Quality performance. Employee relations, training, quality data and reporting, Supplier quality management, Quality performance. Evaluation parameters of Area of manufacturing: Interrater reliability, Group 1 (internal consistency), Group 2 (internal consistency).Training has the highest rank whereas Quality performance has the lowest rank.

The importance of learning and knowledge sharing to support implementation of total quality management in healthcare

Background/Aims Implementation of total quality management in healthcare services has often been unsuccessful. This is a result of a variety of factors, including the inadequacy of learning and knowledge sharing methods to support implementation. This study aimed to explore how learning and knowledge sharing policies influence total quality management initiatives in the healthcare sector. Methods An extended total quality management model, named the ethical, adaptive, learning, and improvement model, was developed and implemented in a private healthcare organisation in the UK. Using action research, data were collected from 91 participants over a 21-month period from qualitative interviews, focus groups and participant observations. Results Practice-based training was found to increase employee competence, reflecting the importance of tacit knowledge sharing. The model led to the prevalent blame culture changing to a learning culture through an appreciative management style that focused on recognising what is done right. In addition, patients' satisfaction and quality of care improved through community groups that were set up to address quality problems and patients' needs. Conclusions Adequate knowledge sharing methods play an important role in improving quality in healthcare. Greater consideration should be given to this widely ignored aspect when implementing total quality management in NHS trusts.

Assessment of quality performance in the Egyptian manufacturing industry

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the quality performance of the Egyptian manufacturing industry based on Flynn's quality management practices framework.Design/methodology/approachA literature-based questionnaire was developed to collect the research data. The sample studied included 193 professionals from different manufacturing firms in Egypt. The research model utilized seven first-order constructs to measure infrastructure and core quality practices and the model was analyzed by structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results of the study showed that infrastructure practices had a positive effect on core quality practices, which in turn, significantly influenced quality performance. The findings confirmed that Egyptian manufacturing firms have a good foundation of quality management practices enabling them to improve quality performance.Practical implicationsThis study provides a foundation for Egyptian manufacturing firms to develop a practical plan for implementing total quality management (TQM). In addition, the results of this study will help managers and policy makers develop a thorough understanding of the current status of TQM initiatives, enablers and barriers in Egypt.Originality/valueThe study represents one of the few attempts to examine quality practices and quality performance in the manufacturing sector in Egypt. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first study to examine these parameters in this context in Egypt.

An Empirical Study on Enhancing Product Quality and Customer Satisfaction Using Quality Assurance Approach in an Indian Manufacturing Industry

The aim of this paper is to investigate the utilization of quality assurance approach in improving the product quality and customer satisfaction while implementing total quality management (TQM) initiatives in leading tractors manufacturing industry situated in Mohali, Punjab, India and highlight the improvements that have taken place as a result of these initiatives. ABC Ltd. (name changed) started implementing TQM as a business management approach in 2007 and its implementation helped the organization to excel in quality, cost and delivery to gain flexibility, provide quality products of wide range and gain operational excellence. Initially, the focus of the industry was on traditional approach that is inspection and control but after TQM it got shifted to prevention of defects and quality assurance. Improvement in field quality, supplier quality and manufacturing quality were mainly focused under quality assurance approach in order to improve product quality and customer satisfaction. Implementation of TQM initiatives helped the industry to double the revenue, triple the profit in just three years and as a result the company got Deming Prize in 2012. The customer satisfaction index improved from 76 to 106, sales volume increased from 27000 to 67000 tractors and market share enhanced from 9.1 to 12.6 percent after TQM deployment within a period of five years. The empirical study presented in this paper is a novel study on augmenting the product quality and customer satisfaction may give insight to the TQM practitioners in promoting similar approaches in their organizations for enhancing customer satisfaction and product quality.

Effect of Total Quality Management (TQM) on the Non-Financial Performance of Hospitals in Ekiti State

This study examined the effect of TQM on the non-financial performance of hospitals in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and the population for this study covered all the 4371 staffs of public Tertiary Institutions in Ekiti State. Using Taro Yamane formula (1967), the sample size for this study was 367 workers. A self-structured questionnaire was used to elicit the needed information from the sampled respondents. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. It was discovered that customers focus, employee involvement and supplier partnership exert a positive but insignificant effect on the treatment outcome of hospitals in Ekiti State. Also, the result revealed that management commitment and training have a positive and significant effect on the treatment outcome of hospitals in Ekiti State. Also, the study revealed that customer focus, management commitment, employee involvement, supplier partnership and training exert a positive and significant effect on the increased patronage of hospitals in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Thus, the results suggest that the management should initiate total quality management initiatives that network the entire organization regularly to attain and sustain high-quality standards and meet customer needs and expectation. Keywords: Total Quality Management, Total Quality Management Practices, Non-Financial Performance treatment outcome, Increased Patronage, Customers Focus, Employee Involvement, Supplier Partnership DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/12-10-02 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Adverse Outcomes Prediction for Congenital Heart Surgery: A Machine Learning Approach.

Risk assessment tools typically used in congenital heart surgery (CHS) assume that various possible risk factors interact in a linear and additive fashion, an assumption that may not reflect reality. Using artificial intelligence techniques, we sought to develop nonlinear models for predicting outcomes in CHS. We built machine learning (ML) models to predict mortality, postoperative mechanical ventilatory support time (MVST), and hospital length of stay (LOS) for patients who underwent CHS, based on data of more than 235,000 patients and 295,000 operations provided by the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association Congenital Database. We used optimal classification trees (OCTs) methodology for its interpretability and accuracy, and compared to logistic regression and state-of-the-art ML methods (Random Forests, Gradient Boosting), reporting their area under the curve (AUC or c-statistic) for both training and testing data sets. Optimal classification trees achieve outstanding performance across all three models (mortality AUC = 0.86, prolonged MVST AUC = 0.85, prolonged LOS AUC = 0.82), while being intuitively interpretable. The most significant predictors of mortality are procedure, age, and weight, followed by days since previous admission and any general preoperative patient risk factors. The nonlinear ML-based models of OCTs are intuitively interpretable and provide superior predictive power. The associated risk calculator allows easy, accurate, and understandable estimation of individual patient risks, in the theoretical framework of the average performance of all centers represented in the database. This methodology has the potential to facilitate decision-making and resource optimization in CHS, enabling total quality management and precise benchmarking initiatives.

Exploring the Challenges and Techniques Used for Improving Customer Satisfaction Through TQM: An Empirical Study

This paper attempts to explore the challenges faced by a leading tractors manufacturing industry of India on losing its market position and investigate the impact of implementing customer centric Total Quality Management (TQM) initiatives for regaining its market position. XYZ Ltd. adopted TQM as a business tool in 2008 to counter external and internal business challenges. Improving customer satisfaction was one of the major targets for the industry with a purpose to be more competitive. Its TQM journey remained extremely successful and as a result received Deming Award in 2012. The tractors manufactured by it are now at top position from 2011 onwards in the Indian market. The customer satisfaction index has improved from 76 to 106; sales satisfaction index has increased to 105, market share enhanced by 12.6%. The case study presented in this paper may give insight to TQM practitioners to promote similar approaches in their organizations for enhancing customer satisfaction.

Strategic planning to investigate the decision index of organization for effective total quality management implementation – in context of Indian small and medium enterprises

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to present an empirical assessment and strategic planning for measuring the impact of total quality management (TQM) practices on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and its effectiveness for business excellence. The authors investigate the present status of quality system in SMEs and find the thrust areas for TQM implementation in SMEs of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. Also, it examines the effect of external environment on internal factors of SMEs by situation analysis. This study helps to develop a model for assessing the components of TQM in SMEs after identifying their weightage.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative and quantitative techniques have been used together for robust conclusions. The survey data has been collected through the properly designed questionnaire. After studying the present status of TQM in SMEs, situation analysis has been carried out for examining the effect of the external environment on internal factors of SMEs. The weightage of TQM critical success factors was calculated by pair-wise comparison method of analytical hierarchical process (AHP) analysis for framework development.FindingsThe study offers useful insights and guidelines for identification of the contribution of TQM critical factors in SMEs performance. It has been observed that the attribute understanding of customer need and its fulfillment ability has the highest priority, whereas supplier partnership and the ability to reduce waste having the least priority in SMEs. Validation study facilitates to channelize TQM initiatives, to improve environmental and operational performance.Originality/valueThe authors provide a comprehensive typology of TQM practices, and its performances on SMEs. This paper can increase the awareness of the significance of TQM strategy which could help managers of SMEs to have a better understanding of the benefits of implementing TQM and therefore unable patient satisfaction with their organizations.

Beware of side effects on quality! Investigating the implications of home working on work-life balance in educational services

PurposeTelecommuting from home is back up on the agenda as a result of the unforeseen challenges brought by COVID-19. Working from home permits to avoid disruption in the ordinary functioning of educational institutions triggered by social distancing. However, home-based telecommuting may have some side effects on employees, especially in terms of work-life balance. Soft Total Quality Management (TQM) initiatives are needed to address these side effects. The article intends to shed light on these issues, providing some food for thought to scholars and practitioners.Design/methodology/approachSecondary data about the working conditions of 2,046 people employed in the education sector across Europe were investigated. A serial mediation analysis was designed to examine the direct and indirect implications of working from home on work-life balance.FindingsThe study suggests that home-based telecommuting may trigger work-to-life and life-to-work conflicts, due to the blurring of boundaries between work and everyday life. Soft tools, such as organizational meaningfulness (OM) and work-related well-being (WB), mediate the relationship between working from home (HW) and work-life conflicts (WLC), lessening the negative implications of working from home on work-life balance.Practical implicationsThe design and the implementation of home-based telecommuting arrangements should include a special concern for soft TQM practices. Among others, OM and WB are likely to minimize the disruption of remote employees' jobs and interpersonal relationships. Failure to do so impairs the ability of home-based employees to make sense out of their working arrangements and to achieve a sustainable work-life balance.Originality/valueThis is one of the first attempts to illuminate the side effects of home-based telecommuting and to investigate the role of soft TQM in addressing these side effects.

CYBERSECURITY: THE ENDGAME – PART ONE

As companies —board members, senior management, risk and information technology managers - strive to grow while strengthening reputation, minimizing security incidents, preparing for and responding to them; they often find themselves struggling with the cybersecurity approaches they thought would help. Unlike Avengers and Captain Marvel, a losing endgame. As cyber threats and attacks become more sophisticated; this article first explains how daily struggles cannot be fixed just by better implementation. Why? Because so many struggles are caused by structural, not implementation, flaws. Thus, structural flaws must be fixed. Second, it points to a better endgame – using proven business management methods to simplify complexity and improve outcomes, especially Total Quality Management and innovation initiatives. Third, because change is challenging, the article offers backstories, tips and engaging questions to make it easier for leaders to manage daily operations amidst shifting priorities while fostering transformation in the spirit of innovation.

Assessing the synergy status of TQM and SCM initiatives in terms of business performance of the medium and large scale Indian manufacturing industry

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an insight into the prevalent quality and supply chain practices adopted in the contemporary Indian manufacturing industry, and compare business performance measurements between transfusion of total quality management (TQM)–supply chain management (SCM) companies and only SCM implementing companies.Design/methodology/approachTo meet the goals of this work, i.e., to ascertain contributions made by TQM–SCM practices, a reasonably large number of Indian manufacturing organizations have been extensively surveyed, through a specially designed TQM–SCM questionnaire. And the design of TQM–SCM questionnaire has been finalized through extensive literature review. Finalized TQM–SCM questionnaire was sent to around 720 industries that are implementing TQM and SCM with other related lean manufacturing practices.FindingsThe leading Indian manufacturing organizations have taken proactive initiatives to effectively improve the manufacturing by transfusing various lean manufacturing philosophies like TQM, SCM, TPM, 5S, Six Sigma, etc., for realizing enhanced manufacturing performance. The study reveals that Indian entrepreneurs have been reasonably successful in improving the business performances in the organizations by implementing combination of TQM and SCM, as TQM support to SCM is much effective and this improvement initiative has significantly contributed toward enhancing the overall manufacturing performance.Practical implicationsSynergy of TQM and SCM in the context of Indian manufacturing industry has been proved beneficial in terms of competitive image as well as business performance. Therefore, the whole Indian manufacturing entrepreneurs must continue to make an earnest effort in their endeavour to realize enhanced competitiveness through synergizing different business improvement initiatives. A major implication is that only SCM implementing companies should develop their supply chain through synergy of TQM–SCM after analyzing the business environment and their future plans.Originality/valueMuch of the attention has been given to TQM practices and SCM practices, and very few studies have been undertaken to integrate TQM and SCM practices. But as far as the authors know till now there is no study undertaken to analyze synergy status of TQM and SCM and then comparing with only SCM implementing companies in India for medium- and large-scale manufacturing class. Therefore, this study compares the transfusion of TQM–SCM with only SCM companies and can be, thus, treated as filling a gap in the extant literature. Therefore, the findings of this research paper will contribute to future research.

An Empirical Study on TQM Practices and its Influence on Employee Satisfaction and Performance in Technical Institutions: Teachers' Perspectives

Objective - Employee satisfaction and employee performance are critical to a service-oriented organization and its performance. Employees play a crucial role in the successful delivery of service and maintaining customer relationships in service oriented organizations. Satisfied employees in general perform better in service delivery as compared to unsatisfied employees. Employee satisfaction, in turn, results from total quality management initiatives such as top management support, employee training, employee participation, employee rewards, and team work that enable employees to provide better customer service. While the relationship of TQM practices and employee satisfaction has been tested in other service sectors, it has not been explored in the education sector. The objective of this paper is to investigate how TQM practices have an impact on employee satisfaction and employee performance within the context of technical institutions in India. Methodology/Technique - The data is collected from 250 teaching faculties of technical institutions in the southern states of India. Findings - The results of the study confirm that TQM practices are significantly positive predictors of employee satisfaction, which in turn contributes to better employee performance within the educational sector in India. Novelty - This study contributes to the development of literature by empirically testing the link between TQM practices and employee satisfaction and employee performance within the context of the education sector. Type of Paper: Empirical. Keywords: Total Quality Management; Employee Satisfaction; Employee Performance; Technical Institutions. JEL Classification: A20. A29.

The Impact of Quality Culture on Operational Performance-An Empirical Study from the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Quality culture as an enabler of high-quality performance and subsequently as a source of competitive advantage is increasingly discussed among operational excellence (OPEX) and quality executives. Research studies indicate an impact of quality culture on performance, especially on the success of quality improvement programs, such as Total Quality Management initiatives. A continual challenge in quality culture research, however, remains the lack of practical and accepted metrics to assess culture. In 2014, the Parental Drug Association (PDA) conducted a quality culture survey within the pharmaceutical industry. The results indicate a positive and significant correlation between quality (culture) behavior of a production site's employees and quality (system) maturity, which represents the maturity of the quality system in place. As the maturity of the quality system is more comfortable to assess by objective criteria, the positive correlation between quality (culture) behavior and quality (system) maturity may be exploited by using the latter as an indicator for quality culture. This paper confirms this positive relationship by exploring the comprehensive St. Gallen OPEX database for pharmaceutical production plants. Furthermore, data analysis shows that high-performing production sites, regarding timely provision of high-quality drugs, reveal a higher level of both quality (system) maturity and quality (culture) behavior than low-performing sites.

Soft total quality management and lean manufacturing initiatives: model development through structural equation modelling

Both soft total quality management (STQM) and lean manufacturing (LM) are philosophies for continuous improvement. Little is known about whether these can be integrated together or are in conflict. Furthermore, the nature of their integration together in the same enterprise is not clear. This paper tries to eliminate gap in operations management (OM) literature regarding the integration of these practices. To do this, it proposes a comprehensive model to be implemented in the developing economy of Malaysia, to investigate the linkages among elements of soft TQM and LM tools in the measured manufacturing sectors. A structured questionnaire was designed to validate the model and test the hypothesis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) through analysis of moment structure (AMOS 22) is utilised to empirically investigate the model based on primary data of 329 responses. Results obtained implied that hypothesis is significant and supported. Thus, both practices are complementary to each other.