Understanding the Obstacles to TQM Success

Data were gathered from a national surrey of quality managers to examine the obstacles associated with managing a successful quality transformation. Factor analysis on managers' ratings of frequently cited barriers to TQM revealed five underlying constructs: 1) inadequate human resources development and management: 2) lack of planning for quality: 3) lack of leadership for quality: 4) inadequate resources for TQM: and 5) lack of customer focus. Moreover these empirically derived obstacles were found to be significantly related, in varying degrees, to specific potential outcomes that can be used to measure TQM success for failure). The potential outcomes considered were frequent turnover of employees, frequent turnover of management, the high cost/benefit ratio of implementing TQM. and quality improvement results rarely meeting expectations. This provides a useful framework for evaluating the relative significance of management-related obstacles to TQM success, and, consequently, for providing direction and guidance in developing strategies for an effective quality transformation.