Small service firms face implementation challenges

Article Abstract:

Total quality management (TQM) is one of the most effective ways for companies to improve quality. However, many US companies are rejecting TWM because they do not feel that the benefits are greater than the costs. In contrast, some firms feel that TQM principles can greatly assist small businesses, particularly in the service sector. Research designed to assess the status of TQM in small firms in the service industries reveals that most owners, general mangers and key employees believe that the financial savings and indirect benefits produced by TQM initiatives are greater than the cost of implementing these initiatives.

author: Kathawala, Yunus, Elmuti, Dean S.
Management, Small business

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TQM's human resource component: lack of attention can inhibit effective implementation

Article Abstract:

A survey of around 350 manufacturing companies in Georgia has given a valuable insight into how many manufacturers have implemented total quality management (TQM) and to what extent they have made changes in human resources strategies in response to adopting TQM. Only 38% of the firms that responded indicated that TQM was being used in their organization, although the firms that used TQM seemed to be obtaining benefits from its introduction. One of the main reasons for not implementing TQM was a lack of knowledge.

author: Lowery, Christopher M., Beadles, Nicholas A., II, Carpenter, James B.
Manufacturing industry, Manufacturing industries, Quality management

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Developing a TQM implementation model

Article Abstract:

A model for implementing an effective total quality management (TQM) program is developed. The 3D model is based on the assumptions that effective TQM models can be applied at the individual, team and organizational levels. Implementation of the model at a manufacturing firm showed that the model reduced nonquality costs to 2% from 22%, lowered inventory costs by 11% and provided a four-fold increase in cost savings.

author: Erez, Miriam, Naveh, Eitan, Zonnenshain, Avigdor

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subjects list: Research, Total quality management
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