A Longitudinal Study of Total Quality Management Processes in Business Colleges

Abstract In this article, we assess the use of total quality management processes and identify trends in their adoption at colleges in the United States. A survey distributed to business deans in 1995 and 1998 was used to gather information concerning changes in the use of TQM. Mission development, strategy determination, and the setting of goals increased during the survey period. The use of advisory boards and cross-functional teams also increased. Few colleges are using TQM successfully to manage the core learning process; nevertheless, overall use of TQM compared favorably with its use in business.