Essentials of total quality management: a meta-analysis

The purpose of this paper is to identify critical successful factors for Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation.

A literature review was conducted to explore the critical successful factors for TQM implementation between 1980 and 2010.

A successful TQM implementation need sufficient education and training, supportive leadership, consistent support of top management, customer focus, employee involvement, process management and continuous improvement of processes.

The review was limited to articles written in English language during the past 30 years.

From a practical point of view, the findings of this paper provide managers with a practical understanding of the factors that are likely to facilitate TQM implementation in organisations.

Understanding the factors that are likely to promote TQM implementation would enable managers to develop more effective strategies that will enhance the chances of achieving business excellence.