Total Quality Management: A Conceptual Analysis

The frontiers of TQM have expanded over the years. Traditionally inwardlooking managements have started focusing on larger societal and customer-driven issues, affecting their businesses. Detection and prevention of in-house losses used to receive widespread attention. But the marketing environment is bringing a welcome change in their attitudes and approach to improvement. Societal and customer aspects in quality are gaining rapid attention. As the custodian of larger interests, top management s has a vital role to play in implementing TQM for the overall global welfare. Well-developed tools and approaches are available. They have to deploy them effectively with the knowledgeable involvement and commitment of their executives and engineers. This paper is intended for those who conduct the affairs of corporate business and are facing cut throat competition in the markets due to globalization. They need to understand the rudimentaries and nuances of TQM before they venture in to implementing the same. A core attribute of TQM is its focus on customer. Fine tuning the various business processes within an organization to the needs of the customer is a continuous, and often a challenging, task for the management. With the right blend of policy and expertise, TQM can provide the operational link for top management to respond promptly to customer expectations and requirements.