Quality Management: Issues for Human Resource Management

Abstract

Total Quality Management (TQM) is very much the term of the 1990s. While much of the theory which underlines TQM is not new, the 'packaging' has helped it assume a great deal of prominence in recent times. It is frequently promoted as the key to business survival in an increasingly competitive, quality and cost-conscious world.

TQM has potentially significant implications for human resource manage ment (HRM) in organizations. This paper identifies the potential impact of TQM on a number of aspects of HRM including performance appraisal, recruitment and selection, training, job design and work organization and compensation.

Discussion focuses on some of the key issues which arise in each of these areas and indicates how some organizations are dealing with them, and draws on the experiences of organizations which have implemented TQM.

In conclusion, it is suggested that HRM can play a major role in successfully integrating TQM into organizations and that human resource professionals need to adopt a strategic role so that HRM activities are brought into alignment with TQM philosophies.

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