Quality today

Abstract

If total quality were an unequivocal, clearly defined concept today, this book could begin working towards its goal of providing a guide to the construction and assessment of a corporate total quality system right from the very first page. But this is not the case. A glance at the programmes of countless total quality conferences and round tables all over Europe shows that the term covers a variety of concepts; some are similar but not identical, while others may be quite divergent. So even a book that does not intend to examine general concepts or to compare the different schools of thought needs to start with a few brief remarks to ensure a conceptual alignment with the reader. In this way, room is left open for discussion of the legitimate differences that distinguish the current stage in the development of quality, but the author’s position as regards total quality will be clear.