ABSTRACT
The pursuit of excellence by an organization requires an integrated management system based on quality precepts. Quality management is an integral part of this system with the top manager being the custodian of, and the entire organization being perceived as owner of, the quality management process. All activities, products, services, and processes have characteristics by which quality is judged, including those associated with financial management, marketing, and human resource management. Even though an effective quality system may be perceived as being holistic, development of the system depends on focused attention to each part and its relationship to the whole. Each organization combines the elemental parts in a different way to form a set of quality programs which define its overall management system. The improvement aspects of the system ensure long-term growth and security of the organization through productivity enhancement, product development, product and process improvement and innovation, and market expansion.
