Is your organization ready for TQM? An assessment methodology

The TQM literature suggests that success comes to organizations ready for a change in climate. Perceptions of management and employees are important to assess because these groups function as if perceptions are real. Determining levels of readiness or conversely resistance to change is an important step, yet few organizations assess readiness in starting a TQM implementation. Highlights key assessment criteria and discusses the variables used to survey both managers and employees regarding these characteristics. Identifies ways to use the variables to develop a survey instrument as well as to diagnose and identify potential ways to remove potential hurdles to TQM. Indicates that both manufacturing organizations and service providers can use these variables to implement continuous improvement processes better.