TQM implementation at public hospitals: a study in Turkey

This study aims to identify employees' perceptions of the extent to which TQM programs are implemented into their hospital organisations; and to explore whether or not they perceive any problems with a successful implementation of TQM programs. According to the research findings, it appears that TQM perceptions are associated in the minds of hospital employees with the importance of their own responsibility and participation, patients' satisfaction, responsibility of upper-level management, measurement and reward system, and support of upper-level management. In addition, the responsibility of both upper-level management and employees has been raised as the most significant effect on employees' perceptions about the necessity of TQM programs at hospital settings.