Title: Impact of challenges and barriers on the success of TQM: an empirical study

Authors: Connie Rokke; Om Prakash Yadav; Brij N. Singh

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND 58108, USA ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND 58108, USA ' Advanced Technology, John Deere Electronic Solutions, Fargo ND 58102, USA

Abstract: This study is meant to measure the impact of the challenges of a TQM programme. The paper reviews basic principles of TQM and identifies associated challenges. The appropriate data is collected and analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) with the aid of AMOS software. This research is unique in its attempt to apply quantifiable measures to the challenges faced by organisations that implement TQM. The findings indicate that the challenges associated with some of the TQM principles are correlated and a few of them do have an impact on the success of a TQM programme. To the best of the author's knowledge, there is no extensive empirical evidence showing the effect of the identified challenges on the success of TQM. This study makes significant contribution to measure the impact of these challenges on the success of a TQM programme.

Keywords: total quality management; TQM success; TQM principles; TQM implementation; TQM challenges; TQM barriers; structural equation modelling; SEM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2015.069635

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2015 Vol.15 No.4, pp.407 - 428

Published online: 29 May 2015 *

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