Title: A theoretical framework of soft TQM in successful implementation

Authors: Rameshwar Dubey; Tripti Singh

Addresses: Centre of Supply Chain Excellence, Asian Council of Logistics Management, 504 Queens Manasion, 5th Floor, 12th Park Street, 700071, Kolkata, India. ' School of Management Studies, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, 211004, Allahabad, India

Abstract: Total quality management (TQM) is the term used to describe a comprehensive view of quality assurance (Evans and Lindsay, 1993). TQM is an integrative management concept for continuously improving the quality of goods and services delivered through the participation of all levels and functions of the organisation. TQM is simply the process of building quality into goods and services from the beginning and making quality everyone's concern and responsibility. The success of TQM depends on the genuine commitment to quality by every member of the organisation. This research aims to propose a theoretical model to study the effect of soft dimensions of TQM on successful implementation which is measured in terms of financial and non-financial measures. The researcher(s) in order to validate developed instrument researcher(s) conducted a pilot study in cement industry. The reliability, validity and data analysis shows that the instrument can be effectively used for any sector.

Keywords: total quality management; soft TQM; leadership; quality culture; human resource focus; partnership; TQM implementation; cement industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAOM.2012.047651

International Journal of Advanced Operations Management, 2012 Vol.4 No.3, pp.195 - 218

Received: 19 Feb 2011
Accepted: 21 Dec 2011
Published online: 11 Aug 2014 *

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