at managers must be a part of the production process, as opposed to being separated from it.
Total quality management (TQM) is a logical outgrowth of the quality control strategy promoted for years by the late Edwards Deming (Neave, 1990). The 14 points in the strategy Deming offered in the 1980s were quite close to the strategy he proposed in late-1940s. Deming's 14 points, upon which TQM was based, are as follows (Walton, 1986):
1. Organizations should create constancy of purpose for the improvement of product. Constancy in organizational goals with respect to product quality is of utmost importance. This point is a part of TQM. This point also is closely related to the ISO 9000 requirements, as consistency in operational processes is considered to be essential to consistency in the quality of output.
2. Organizations should adopt a new philosophy which has as its objective superior product quality. This point is a part of TQM. This point also is closely related to the ISO 9000 process that requires an organization to formulate specific missions and objectives associated with quality.
3. Organizations should cease dependence on mass inspection. Procedures for precise testing in conjunction with sampling procedures is required by the Deming approach. Similarly, ISO 9000 certification requires that organizations assure that products meet specified quality and performance criteria.
4. Organizations should end the practice of awarding business on the basis of price tag alone. Instead, organizations should minimize total cost by working with a single supplier. This point is not a part of TQM. Similarly, this point is not incorporated directly in the ISO 9000 system. The ISO 9000 process requires, however, that quality take precedence over cost.
5. Organizations should improve constantly and forever every process for planning, production, and service. This point ties TQM directly with CQI. This point al...