Prior to the advent of TQM, senior management’s typical approach toward quality was to focus on inspection and control. This meant that products were inspected after they were produced to ensure that they met quality standards. If a product did not meet standards, it was rejected and either scrapped or reworked. This approach to quality was often reactive, meaning that it was only applied after a problem had occurred.

In your discussion, provide an example showing management’s typical approach toward quality.

An example of management’s typical approach toward quality in the pre-TQM era is the Ford Motor Company’s assembly line. The Ford assembly line was designed to produce cars as quickly and efficiently as possible. This meant that quality control was often neglected. As a result, many of the cars that came off the assembly line were defective.

What has led to the more comprehensive strategic view of total quality management?

There are a number of factors that have led to the more comprehensive strategic view of TQM. These include:

• The increasing globalization of markets, which has made it more difficult for companies to compete on price alone.
• The increasing complexity of products and services, which has made it more difficult to ensure quality through inspection and control alone.
• The growing awareness of the importance of customer satisfaction, which has led companies to focus on improving quality as a way to increase customer loyalty.
• The development of new quality management tools and techniques, which have made it easier for companies to implement TQM.

What are the benefits of a more comprehensive strategic view? Please support your discussion with an example.

The benefits of a more comprehensive strategic view of TQM include:

• Improved quality of products and services, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Reduced costs, as a result of fewer defects and rework.
• Increased productivity, as a result of improved efficiency and reduced waste.
• Enhanced employee morale, as a result of increased involvement and empowerment.
• Improved competitive position, as a result of better products and services, lower costs, and increased productivity.

An example of the benefits of a more comprehensive strategic view of TQM is the success of Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota has been a leader in TQM for many years, and its products are known for their high quality. Toyota’s success is due in part to its focus on quality as a strategic imperative. Toyota has invested heavily in TQM, and its employees are committed to continuous improvement. As a result, Toyota has been able to achieve high levels of quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

In conclusion, the evolution of TQM concepts has been driven by a number of factors, including the increasing globalization of markets, the increasing complexity of products and services, the growing awareness of the importance of customer satisfaction, and the development of new quality management tools and techniques. The more comprehensive strategic view of TQM has a number of benefits, including improved quality, reduced costs, increased productivity, enhanced employee morale, and improved competitive position.