Total Quality Management: Its Relevance for Higher Education

Abstract

Seeks to explore the concepts and processes implied within the phrase “total quality management” (TQM) and to examine their relevance to the life and work of the higher education institution. Argues that TQM offers both evaluatory and developmental processes which locate the responsibility for quality in both the individual and team. This represents an approach to quality assurance more congruent with the structures and ethos of higher education than many of the more mechanistic, hierarchical processes currently being promoted. However, there are numerous barriers to the acceptance of this model of practice within the system and these are identified and discussed.