Implementing Quality Initiatives Some organizations are more forward thinking an
ID: 3569959 • Letter: I
Question
Implementing Quality Initiatives
Some organizations are more forward thinking and others more reactive when it comes to implementing quality initiatives. What characteristics would you look for in an organization, if you wished to assess its receptiveness to these initiatives? Explain each characteristic and why it is a good indicator of receptiveness. What motivating, structural, cultural, and economic factors do you think best determine whether or not an organization will be receptive? State your opinions, and support them with examples and references
Explanation / Answer
Total quality management (TQM) refers to management methods used to enhance quality and productivity in organizations, particularly businesses. TQM is a comprehensive system approach that works horizontally across an organization, involving all departments and employees and extending backward and forward to include both suppliers and clients/customers.
TQM is only one of many acronyms used to label management systems that focus on quality. Other acronyms that have been used to describe similar quality management philosophies and programs include CQI (continuous quality improvement), SQC (statistical quality control), QFD (quality function deployment), QIDW (quality in daily work), and TQC (total quality control). Despite the ambiguity of the popularized term "TQM," that acronym is less important than the substance of the management ideology that underlies it. TQM provides a framework for implementing effective quality and productivity initiatives that can increase the profitability and competitiveness of organizations.
Role of an Organizational Culture In Quality Initiatives
Organizational culture is a pattern of shared basic assumptions, values, and beliefs that were learned by a group as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration that has worked well enough to be considered valid and, therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems. Every organization develops a set of tacit and explicit understandings, beliefs and practices . It is generally assumed that introduction of new technologies, management concepts or quality initiatives will automatically bring cultural change within organizations. Consequently, the quality cultural phenomena are rarely discussed by the top management during planning phase of various quality initiatives. This ignorance usually results in implementation failures of most quality initiatives. Any resistance to change must be tackled in a very systematic manner. Cultural acceptance and readiness of quality is considered as the most important requisites for successful implementation of any quality initiatives. It might not be easy to explain exactly what the cultural characteristics of a particular organization are, but all of its members understand and conform instinctively to its expectations.
Characterstics
Innovation and Risk Taking:
Risk and returns go hand in hand. Places where you take a risk (calculated risk of course!); the chances of returns are higher. Same goes for innovation. Innovative cultures are flexible, adaptable, and experiment with new ideas. While planning for new initiatives, As a CEO, I would encourage employees to be innovative and take risks. I would see how much room the business allows for innovation and I would celebrate both failures as well as successes.
Attention to Detail:
It defines the degree to which employees are expected to exhibit precision, analysis, and attention to detail . As a CEO or president of company I would define the degree of attention to be given to details which gives a competitive advantage to company and helps in differentiating it from others.
Outcome Orientation: The degree to which management focuses on results or outcomes rather than on the techniques and processes used to achieve those outcomes. As a CEO I will focus on results which will stand the company to outperform the companies that are lacking this culture. At the same time I will take care that company doesn