The Future of TQM is Past. Can TQM be Resurrected?

Abstract

Over the last two decades, many organizations around the world have adopted Total Quality Management (TQM) in some form. Rigorous attempts have been made to identify critical elements of TQM. These elements can be classified into two broad categories: soft TQM and hard TQM. Empirical studies indicated that only a handful of the soft aspects of TQM dimensions contribute to organizational performance. The elements of soft TQM, such as training and education, loyalty, leadership, teamwork and empowerment are essentially ‘people’ aspects. The coverage of such elements in the management literature is high and, in fact, broadly, management theory and soft TQM are identical. With rapid change and uncertainty in the market and greater emphasis on core competencies, organizations are transforming themselves into modular corporations, and thus the importance of the elements of traditional soft TQM is rapidly diminishing. This paper therefore raises a fundamental question: what is the future of TQM?