1.

The Effects of Total Quality Management Practices on Performance and the

Barriers to TQM Practices in Turkey

Based on this research article, there are mixed and ambiguous results
regarding the relationship between TQM practices and performances. The
results of this study has shown that different TQM practices significantly affect
different performance outcomes. The primary problems most firms face is lack
of employee involvement, awareness and commitment of employees, inadequate
firm structure, and lack of available resources. These problems have been
identified as the main focus to further improve the overall employee
involvement, commitment, and awareness to reduce the different barriers the
firm faces. They defined total quality management in this article as “a firm-wide
management philosophy of continuously improving the quality of the
products/services/processes by focusing on the customers’ needs and
expectations to enhance customer satisfaction and firm performance.” It is both
a philosophy and a series of guiding justifications that are the basis of a
ceaselessly improving organization (Shweta, Ruchi & Monika, 2018). It intends
to accomplish the effectiveness of the system such as production, design,
planning, quality tools, techniques involvement as well as customer satisfaction
as it has potential not only to reinforce competitiveness but also to strengthen
firm effectiveness and produce more satisfied customers (Khanam, Siddiqui &
Talib, 2015). The research article focuses on how leadership is positively related
to performance. Leaders view the firm as a system and therefore establishes an
interconnection among the employees, managers, and customers to be able to
direct and manage efficiently and effectively. Since it views the firm as a system,
it is not just focused on one department and highlights the different aspects of
operational performance, inventory management performance, employee
performance, innovation performance, social responsibility and customer
results, and financial performance.

Training was also discussed in the improvement of performance because with
the proper and strict training to all of the firms employees, they will be able to
improve proficiencies in their daily tasks and to reduce idle time as well. It is
significantly correlated to the firms organizational goals because it shows the
employees’ loalty to the firm, their motivation, and work performance. This will
greatly improve the production of high quality products or services and is truly
beneficial for the firm. If a firm wants to have more of a competitive, it must
adapt to the rapid changes that may happen in an industry that is growing and is
more complicated.

To conclude the findings, this research article gave an overview of the main
implications this would ultimately have within the organization and puts a
strong emphasis on not just training and leadership, but also customer focus and
strategic quality planning. It is a tough process to do but is something that will
ultimately help the organization in the long run to be able to shift to being more
sustainable.




2. Total Quality Management as a Business Philosophy
This article states that “ quality systems integration requires that the business
looks out for the customer while the customer looks out for the survival of the
business.” It explains the simple concept that without the business, there is no
product. If there is no product, customers’ needs cannot be met. It also defines
total quality management as “a comprehensive system for achieving continuous
improvement in customer satisfaction. It is a philosophy of total integration of
the business to achieve the required result where the goal is to achieve greater
efficiency and effectiveness, lower operating cost and increased market share.”
This means being able to adapt to the different customer needs and provide
satisfaction with the expansion of the relationship beyond the traditional
services the firm has to offer. Innovating the system in ways that would
incorporate customer’s needs so that it is in line with the corporate’s business
plan and corporate strategy. Total quality philosophy is said to be involved with
every single piece of work done in the organization and requires the total
commitment of the departments as a whole. It aims to achieve zero defects
which requires everything being done right systematically in the organization.
Because total quality management means changing the way people do things to
minimize potentials for defects, there are several approaches that can be done to
incorporate this in any organization. Although having zero defects seems
impossible in the firm, minimization and control over the potential defects is a
way to overturn and support that statement. The six sigma approach to total
quality management is also discussed wherein the process would have to be
99.99966% perfect in order to produce only about 3.4 defects per million.
Aiming for 100% quality is hard to achieve because of the loopholes and defects
and organization has, but the first step is to recognize and calculate its effects in
the firm.

Peter Drucker has said "a business is not defined by the company’s name,
statutes, or articles of incorporation. It is defined by the want the customer
satisfies when he buys a product or service. To satisfy the customer is the
mission and purpose of every business.’’ Using the point of view of the customer
and market is said to be a good way to look into what the organizations main
vision mission is. Corporate values is the underlying beliefs about what the
organization considers important in its everyday endeavor which shapes the
corporate culture of the firm. As organizations pass through differing growth
phases, developing a solid structure of preserving its original guiding principle is
a must. The article focuses on the development of a business philosophy that
should be followed and held with great conviction but not the the point that it is
inflexible. In my perspectives, an organization must follow a strict philosophy
and build strategies to satisfy its consumers but it should not try to be all things
to all people because it may develop inconsistency in the long run. Marvin Bower
of McKinsey stated that "a successful organization usually consists of a group of
talented people who like and respect one another. The firm nurtures in its
members the ambition and the determination to be outstanding at what they do.
The firm encourages intellectual disagreement and interaction among its
members but insists upon mutual respect. The firm tries to enable outstanding
people to flourish by leveraging their skills and providing a creative
environment. It never permits any relaxation of professionalism or of high
standard.’’


3. 8 Challenges Quality Management Professionals Face

This article discusses the eight common challenges that is faced with the
designing and implementing of quality management systems. The first challenge
is having too much theory because organizations that strive may go too
overboard in their attempts to make the perfect quality management system for
the firm. It states that “ the perfect QMS doesn’t exist, but every QMS can and
should be improved over time. When designing a QMS, make sure it is practical
for the company. Theory is useless when you don’t put it into practice. Focus on
the theory, but focus even more on the implementation of that theory and the
added value for your organization.” This is true for most firms that lean on to
theories and principles that do not maximize the value of the firm when it is not
followed completely. The second challenge is having too much documentation.
With the development of too much documentation, employees may get
overworked and lose interest in quality management system. Its main argument
is that the objective of quality management system is not to create heavy
paperwork, but to formalize the right information only when necessary. This
may reduce employee motivation and morale which will ultimately lead to the
 firm not being able to maximize its employees’ potential. Having too many detail
is also an issue because some documents may require a high level of detail, but
others don’t. Including the most important information at the right timing is the
key to establish a clearer document. Too much rigidity is also seen as a challenge
because firms must be able to be flexible and adapt to the changing
circumstances the industry or business faces. Not having enough implication and
communication in the firm is another challenge discussed in the article because
staff members must have a clear understanding of their roles and
responsibilities for them to feel that they are in fact crucial to the quality
management system and not just a mere follower to the managers of the firm in
order to get desired results as well.

The sixth challenge talked about is not having enough motivation. My view on
this is that it is clearly evident that employees will not be able to provide the best
results in their daily tasks and it will hinder the growth of the organization. The
seventh challenge is having a quality management system that is not suitable
enough for the firm. Having the right system that would suit the organization the
best is crucial. The last challenge discussed is not giving enough attention to
customers. Consumers are the lifeline of a business so keeping them satisfied
will develop a consistent relationship in the long run.























 References:

Sadikogl, E., Olcay, H. (2014). The Effects of Total Quality Management
Practices on Performance and the Reasons of and the Barriers to TQM
Practices in Turkey. Article Retreived from:
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ads/2014/537605/

Uduk, P. (2015). Total Quality Management as a Philosophy. Retreived from:
https://www.processexcellencenetwork.com/business-
transformation/articles/total-quality-management-as-a-business-
philosophy

Ancion, E. (2018). 8 Challenges quality management professionals face.
Retreived from: https://www.pauwelsconsulting.com/blog/challenges-
quality-management/