The implementation of the TQM philosophy in Poland

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to present an overview of various total quality management (TQM) issues in Poland's business organizations and the public sector. Design/methodology/approach – Describes the role of the Polish Quality Award Committee in promoting the idea of TQM. Presents the results of survey research on the implementation of TQM in Polish companies. Presents a critical analysis of the results and formulates conclusions based on the author' experience gained while working in the Polish Quality Award Committee at the National Chamber of Economy. Findings – The analysis of the literature on the subject and the results of empirical research allow the formulation of conclusions. It turns out that most Polish companies implement the TQM philosophy under the influence of the positive results of the functioning quality management systems based on ISO standards. The influence of cultural and social factors cannot be underestimated. The further development of the TQM philosophy should be related to the development of knowledge in the field of human resources management. The promotional and didactic activities of the Polish Quality Award Committee and Polish universities influence positively the functioning and development of TQM. Some Polish companies try to combine TQM with other management methods, e.g. reengineering. Practical implications – The practical aspects comprise these conclusions which are related to the barriers to the implementation of TQM. The knowledge of such barriers and their character can be advantageous for managers in the process of decision making. Originality/value – The paper is the first holistic survey of TQM in Polish companies. It may constitute a basis for further research and scholarly analysis.