TQM: What is Wrong with the Terminology

Discusses the current confusion over the meaning of total quality management (TQM). Failure associated with TQM implementation is often due to the failure of managers to introduce it effectively. TQM is being demanded by customers, even in public sector and non‐profit‐making organizations; it is a global and universal philosophy of management and is here to stay. There is a need to develop more university and college courses on TQM and related areas. In Japan, the philosophy of TQM is well embedded in all aspects of business life and the public sector. The challenge for all of us is to make TQM work effectively in any sector,to ensure that organizations optimize its benefits, to develop it as a philosophy of modern management so it can address future challenges and to integrate it in our education systems.