Total Quality Management
US industry has generally thought that the methods for quality management, as developed by experts such as Deming, were:
· Too theoretical and therefore so difficult to apply as to be not worth the effort
· Too faddish and therefore only to be short lived
· Too culturally alien and therefore not able to be applied in North America
· A philosophical approach to a practical issue and therefore not having any useful application
Because US industry top management held these preconceived notions regarding this method of quality management, skepticism existed at all levels within the affected organizations. This made change next to impossible. The shift to quality management is a cultural shift and cultural shifts must start from the top down. As well, the shareholder driven US economy has a need for immediate results while within the Japanese culture, every decision is based on its’ long term impacts.
Although the need for change is apparent, this situation still exists within the US automotive sector. Having worked as a supervisor at a Ford engine plant, I can say first hand that the old methods of quality management are still seen by many, especially high seniority production workers, as “good enough”. While the need to keep within specification and to meet tight tolerances is often overlooked by upper management in order to meet the required production targets for the day.
Meanwhile it should be noted that the Japanese automakers are also experiencing some problems. It used to be that all Toyota products were an automatic recommend by Consumer Reports but this too has changed and they are no longer an automatic recommend. The sheer size of Toyota creates a situation where it is imp...
... middle of paper ...
...h worldwide media coverage, it is more important than ever for a company to recognize the impact it is having on the environment. The purchasing department must be the frontrunner in this area. Through the purchasing function, new potential suppliers are found, assessed and brought on as partners in the business. And, “We didn’t know” is not accepted as an excuse when an environmental impact is discovered and brought to the attention of the world.
When the multiple components of TQM are viewed within the three dimensions and kept within sight of the buyer and the purchasing organization and ultimately the entire organization as a whole, then internal and external customers, the shareholders and the employees will all be will be delighted by the results. This will ultimately result in a successful company as measured by all internal and external stakeholders.
The company that the author has chosen to compare his own organization with is the Toyota motor company. The Toyota Company has become a renowned leader in the area of quality management. Toyota’s theory of “keep it lean” has kept the company running at a level that eclipses the industry standards.
According to Smith (2004), there are several organizations in the United States that tend to implement what is described a formalized quality management program. However, most of these organizations implementing quality management programs tend to fail. This is because these quality management programs were considered as programs of the month, and eventually faded away. Instead, Smith (2004) recommended that when an organization decides to implement a particular quality program, it usually requires what is described as a cultural change in the way its day –to-day activities are performed. Thus, the notion of doing it right on the first time should be incorporated into the particular organization’s day-to day activities or culture. In addition, top management
Zatzick, Moliterno, and Fang (2012) write that Total Quality Management “TQM primarily focuses on increasing inefficiencies and improving processes, particularly when implemented in manufacturing organizations” (p.1322). Deming (1988) writes that American companies do not work steadily towards process improvement. He feels that management should be consistent with its efforts to improve upon the quality of its products. Beer (2003) views TQM as an ongoing process in order to ensure product excellence. TQM has the ability to change the companies’ culture and work processes. Quality management is a long term process. These changes usually require new initiatives. Deming (1998) explains how the Japanese are at an advantage because they are not beholden to stakeholders. Japanese companies are able to concentrate on their employees. This type of environment encourages trust between workers and management. Beer (2003) feels that TQM involves “multiple stakeholder philosophy that equally values community, customers, and employees (p.624). Team work and collaboration are a big part of the TQM philosophy.
I agree that all states should require it to be offered, but I don't think that everyone should be required to take it if they don't need it. I exercise around 12 hours a week because I'm a competitive dancer. I don't think that it's necessary for me to get even more exercise when I could be taking an extra curriculum class for my academic education. I think that it's still important for me and everyone else to learn about Phy Ed, but not necessarily do all the exercise. I would like if there was an option about Physical Education learning, that doesn't include all the exercise, or combined the Phy Ed units into a required health class. I do agree that their are plenty of others who need or would benefit from this class because of its exercise, but as being a fairly active person I would like more time to do other things. I'm already limited to a number of credits, so I wouldn't pick Phy Ed as my first. I would be more interested in taking a Physical Education learning class, without all the exercise. If you were given the option to skip the exercise you would need a reason for it. I think that if school gave this option they would require students to participate in a school sport or a local
This is where good communication within the quality department and with other departments such as production comes into play. Communicating with employees and across departments will help in staying on top of things and being aware of what is going on in each department. (Conlow, 2006). In order to help prevent issues with quality, it is very important that when issues are found, they are immediately reported to the production team. This will ensure that production of faulty parts will cease until the problem is found and repaired. This will also prevent the quality team from continuing to check parts that they know will be faulty. In addition to reporting issues to other departments, there should also be ongoing training and education provided to employees to make sure that everyone is up to date on any new technology or processes deemed necessary for growth. Giving employees an opportunity to learn, grow and develop teamwork skills is important (Conlow,
TQM is about integrating and connecting all the segments of the company to reach the customer’s needs. We can evaluate the level of the company by evaluating TQM tools. Inputs and outputs have to transform through a successful processes in the organizations. Improvements are always connected with a professional productivity because of TQM.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, previously unchallenged American industries lost substantial market share in both US and world markets. To regain the competitive edge, companies began to adopt productivity improvement programs which had proven themselves particularly successful in Japan. One of these improvement programs was the total quality management (TQM) (Kaynak, 2003).
Therefore, the current focus is on the methods used to ensure proper cooperation and communication among all stakeholders in an industry. Quality management is also adopted as a way of solving problems (Weckenmann et al., 2015). Scientific methods have also been used to cause improvements in globalization and to ensure that consumer demands are met. Emerging trends in quality management can therefore be measured using mechanisms which promote consolidation and improvements. Innovation has also been incorporated by identifying issues that are likely to be problematic in the
Those who serve as the opposition to Physical Education being mandatory in high schools believe that classes which teach and allow participation in exercise are not constructive. “...students do not need to be taught to control their bodily desires...nor should the pursuit of bodily improvement be a mandatory facet..” a direct quote from Evan Cucci’s editorial, "Developing the Student Body," The main theme running course through this
Quality control aspect was invented by Walter A. Shewhart. It was first implemented at Western Electric Company, a telecommunications company who was part of AT&T (American telephone and Telegraph Company). Joesph Juran who worked there, developed the method and implemented it to the company. W. Edwards Deming is viewed as the father of quality control, quality circles and the quality movement generally. The
Tanninen, K., Puumalainen, K., & Sandström, J. (2010). The power of TQM: analysis of its effects on profitability, productivity and customer satisfaction. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence,21(2), 171-184. doi:10.1080/14783360903549949
Armand Vallin Feigenbaum was born on April 6, 1922 and lived to November 13, 2014. He was an American quality control expert and businessman known for the concept of Total Quality Control which later became Total Quality Management (TQM). He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Union College and his master’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management. He progressed to a PHD in Economics from MIT. In 1958, he became the Director of Manufacturing Operations at General Electric for a period of ten years. During that period, he was chair of a special committee under the American Society for Quality that laid the foundation for raising the level of importance of quality control in professional
In conclusion, the time students spend in a physical education class should not be reduced or eliminated altogether. As I have discussed, the physical education course is just as necessary as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Everyone deserves a chance to live a healthy and long life and education is the key to this success.
T. F. Prosser, "When and Why Does Total Quality Management Work, and Why Isn't It Still Prevalent," n.d.. [Online]. Available: http://oneffectivemanagement.wordpress.com/.
TQM is essential to be used by all the companies especially the manufacturing companies who have the responsibility to ensure about the quality of the product. TQM is being viewed as the boon and it is an approach for improving the quality and customer satisfaction in the long run and also reduces the amount of waste (www.businessknowledgesource.com). There are various components which have to be addressed in implementing the TQM they are Ethics, integrity, training, trust, teamwork, communication and recognition (www.businessknowledgesource.com).