ABSTRACT
Traditional Total Quality Management (TQM) offers a management philosophy and structure designed to improve the profitability of companies through the practice of continuously improving all facets of each functional area, including the management process. The TQM umbrella includes the application of statistical methodologies that support a process of constantly monitoring the degree of variability within processes and for determining cause-and-effect relationships. Employee involvement as well as crossfunctional management teams are used to manage the implementation of the improvement process and to focus on areas within the company that need improvement. Focusing mechanisms are designed to continuously improve the quality of products and activities while reducing costs.
