This paper makes the point that since the early 1990s there have been signs (e.g. the move from quality and total quality management (TQM) to excellence, and process control to process management) that quality and TQM are perceived by some commentators to be out‐of‐date and fallen by the...

Reports an examination of the management’s, staff’s and operators’ attitudes to and awareness of the concept of quality costing in the division of a small‐ to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) manufacturing precision components for the aerospace industry. Despite a previous but...

Uses the three quality dimensions of: systems; tools and techniques; and people, analyses the contribution of UK writers to the development of the body of knowledge known as total quality management (TQM). From examination of a range of source material (e.g. books, papers, postgraduate theses,...

The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to examine how manufacturing organisations used set‐up time reduction and mistake proofing methods. The study was conducted in companies involved in manufacturing precision components. It was found that the companies were approaching the...

Reports the main findings of a study carried out into the quality improvement structure of six different companies. Among the findings is that an infrastructure in terms of TQM Steering Committee and improvements facilitators is necessary at the introduction and during the development stages of...

Outlines the establishment of Trafford Park Development Corporation and the subsequent setting up and development of the Trafford Park Performance and Quality Forum. The forum aims to benefit all companies by creating a more robust Trafford Park which will ideally safeguard the vast amount of...

Outlines the key factors in the successful use of quality management tools and techniques in a process of continuous improvement. Examines some of the common difficulties in use and application together with tips to overcome and steer around them. Details of a health check for assessing tools...

Outlines the main findings of a longitudinal study into the use and application of quality management tools and techniques in a speciality chemicals manufacturer. Finds that the use of a particular tool or technique is related to the stage of development of the organization’s improvement...

From both fieldwork and the academic literature a number of issues have been identified which impact negatively on the sustaining of TQM in manufacturing organizations. The issues reflect a variety of business operations perspectives including continuous improvement, organizational behaviour,...

Describes six levels of TQM adoption (or lack of it) which are termed uncommitted, drifters, tool pushers, improvers, award winners and world‐class. The levels are not necessarily the stages which organizations pass on their TQM journey, rather they are characteristics and behaviour which...