KOWSELLIA RENGASAMY ( MC 210413596 )

REFLECTION 4

Total Quality Management (hereafter, TQM) is a management approach of an organization that strives
to provide the best quality product to satisfy customer’s needs. It is a method where management
and employees are involved in the continuous improvement in all functions of the company, and can
only be achieved if TQM is utilized from the acquisition of resources, until customer services after the
sale (Kaynak, 2003). The term was coined in Japan around 1950s, with a fundamental principle to
improve quality, satisfy customer’s demands and encourage innovation and improvement (Cordeiro
and Cunningham, 2014). This assignment will explain the effects of TQM on teachers and
students.Firstly, for teachers, TQM can help to encourage and improve teamwork and collaboration
among the teachers in the same department. For example, by applying one module theory in other
modules so that students get a better understanding of a topic. Next, teachers can also address the
issues faced by students to find a solution. Next, teachers can create a study method based on TQM,
that is participative and emphasizes collaboration. This enhances students’ teamwork and
communication skills. These skills are essential in the working environment thus teachers should focus
on improving these skills.

Moreover, as TQM emphasizes continual improvement, teachers are encouraged to continually

improve both their skills and academic knowledge. This can be done by further education such as
masters and doctorate degrees, attending seminars, workshops, and such. This will help teachers to
be in a better position to equip their students with the skills and knowledge required. Teachers will be
in a better position to understand students’ mindsets. Furthermore, improvements can be reflected
by innovations on curriculums and practicing new teaching methods (example: demonstrations,
presentations).

Therefore, the quality of the product which is students will be increased (Dahil and Karabulut, 2013).
Secondly, for students, TQM can help them to develop their teamwork, communication, and problem-
solving skills. This can be done with innovative teaching methods and curriculum provided by their
teachers. For example: with presentation methods, students can improve their communication and
public speaking skills. Next, students will be able to grasp the concept of their modules better. In
addition, students who get a better understanding of the modules can apply them in the future when
they are working and contributing to society. Therefore, high-quality students with both knowledge
and skills who are ready to enter the workforce can be produced in institutes that practices TQM.

Lastly, students will be always encouraged to keep improving themselves to learn new skills and
knowledge, and thus helping them to achieve their career goals.

In conclusion, TQM gives high superiorities to institutes in developing an educational system and
improving its qualified employees. TQM encourages students and teachers to give the best
performance and result, focusing on continuous growth, and challenge them to keep improving
(Farooq et al., 2007). In addition, intense competition in the global market has forced educators to
produce qualified manpower, ensuring students have the qualifications demanded by businesses.
Besides that, it also increases the labour quality of the country and can reduce the unemployment
rate and poverty rate in the long run. Therefore, it’s important to apply the concept of TQM in all
educational institutes as it benefits both teachers and students.

References
Cordeiro, P. and Cunningham, W. (2014) Educational Leadership: A Bridge to Improved Practice. 5th
edition. Essex: Pearson Education Limited

Dahil, L. and Karabulut, A. (2013) Effects of Total Quality Management on Teachers and Students. 4th
International Conference on New Horizons in Education. Turkey: Procedia. pp. 1021 – 1030.

Farooq, M., Akhtar, M., Ullah, S., and Memon, R. (2007) Application of Total Quality Management in
Education. Journal of Quality and Technology Management. [Online]. 3(2).

pp. 87-97. Available from: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED506778.pdf. [Accessed 9 February 2021]

Kaynak, H. (2003). The Relationship between Total Quality Management Practices and Their Effects
on Firm Performance. Journal of Operations Management. [Online] 21(4). pp.405–

435. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272696303000044

[Accessed 9 February 2021]