Pathfinding on the Continuous Journey: Total Quality Management (TQM) in the Department of Defense

Abstract

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a body of Management theory and practice based upon the fundamental idea that quality products and services can only be produced by quality organizations. Although widely accepted in the private sector, it has a mixed record. The paper inquires into the applicability of TQM to Department of Defense (DOD) activities considering the inherently more confining environment than that found in the private sector. The general conclusion is that DOD is in the early phases of a broad evolution in management theory and practice. TQM offers the opportunity for significant improvement but its adaption is destined to be a slow and often painful process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA276562

Entities

People

  • Larry E. Feuge

Organizations

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Commerce
  • Corporations
  • Department Of Defense
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Quality Control
  • Students
  • Total Quality Management
  • Training
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Economics
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).