RESEARCH QUESTIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

We present in this paper a number of propositions regarding the implem entation of total quality management (TQM). These propositions are der ived from a study of Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award winners. The propositions are structured into four groups dealing with cultural change, focus, employee ownership of the processes, and strategic par tnering with customers and suppliers. Each of these issues is critical to the implementation or sustainability of TQM in organizations. It i s not our intention from the discussion of these propositions to prese nt answers, bur instead to generate meaningful and interesting researc h questions on the implementation of TQM.