Academic Staff Perceptions toward Implementing Total Quality Management Principles

Abstract

Purpose-This study examines the attitude of academic staff in one higher education institution in Malaysia towards the implementation of total quality management principles, and how that affects the intention to implement total quality management in the university. It also highlights the impacts of several demographic variables on the implementation of total quality management in the university.

Design/methodology/approach-The study used survey data drawn from 149 academic staff selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Regression analysis was used to analyse data.

Finding-The findings demonstrate there is a positive significant correlation between attitude toward TQM implementation (customers and stakeholders, employee engagement and teamwork, continuous improvements and total degree of attitude) and the intention to practice TQM among sampled institution faculties.Concerning the correlation between the subjective norms and intention, the analysis manifests that there is no significant correlation between the subjective norms of TQM and the intention to practice TQM principles among institutional staff.Furthermore, the study also found that there are no significant differences in the attitude towards implementation of total quality managementprinciples due to the variables of gender, nationality, marital status, work experiences, the faculty and job positions with the exception of academic degree, where significant differences are shown.

Value/originality-Since the study reports the understanding of academic staff of a higher education institution toward the implementation of total quality management principles, top management in the tertiary sector may find the findings and conclusions useful when planning for the implementation of total quality management principles.