Overcoming the barriers to TQM

Abstract

There have been many approaches to the study of management ranging from the Classical School, with its two components of Scientific Management and Classical Organisation Theory, through to the Human Relations School and its successor, the School of Management Science (Stoner 1982). To these Schools must be added the integrative approaches of systems theory and contingency management. None of these approaches has achieved mutual exclusivity and each has taken something from one or more of its predecessors and added something original. Total Quality Management follows in this tradition. It has adopted an integrative approach and added the unique element of holism. Whilst all of the Schools of management have sought to delineate a rational approach to the attainment of increased productivity, enhanced effectiveness and efficiency and greater economy, TQM has emphasised the attainment of those objectives through the concept of continuous quality improvement In addition, TQM can claim, because of the holism which it advocates, to be distinctive in affording a strong philosophical underpinning to its prescriptions. (Kanji, Morris & Haigh 1993)