dc.description.abstract | This report outlines the factors influencing implementation of Total Quality Management in
manufacturing firms in Kenya. Total Quality Management is defined as a corporate business
management philosophy which recognises that customer needs and business goals are
inseparable and is applicable within both industry and commerce. The objectives of the study
were: influence of Top management leadership commitment implementation of Total Quality
Management in manufacturing firms, to establish the influence of employee empowerment on
the implementation of Total Quality Management in manufacturing firms, to establish the
influence of organisation culture on the implementation of Total Quality Management in
manufacturing firms and to determine the influence of communication on the implementation of
Total Quality Management in manufacturing firms. The study adopted a descriptive research
design to assess factors influencing implementation of Total Quality Management in
Manufacturing firms.The target population in this study was 2900 employees consisting of top
level managers, middle level managers, supervisors and operative staff. Stratified random
sampling was employed to select 384 employees to participate in the study. Primary data for the
study was collected using questionnaires that were administered to the respondents and
interview guide used to interview top management. Pilot test was conducted in Kapa to check on
validity and reliability. The data collected was analyzed with the help of SPSS program. The
findings of this study revealed that Top Management Commitment is an important factor in
implementation of TQM and that Top Management Commitment positively influences
implementation of TQM. The study also established that Organizational Culture is a factor in
implementation of TQM and that appropriate organizational culture positively influences
implementation of TQM. The study revealed that Employee Training positively influences
implementation of TQM. In addition, the study found that Communication is an important factor
with positive influence in implementation of TQM. The study recommends quality managers
should take measures in ensuring top management participation and commitment to quality
initiatives, organizations should introduce and develop employee involvement practices in their
organization by delegating authority and empowering employees, that organizations develop
group, hierarchical, developmental and rational culture so as to enhance total quality
management and quality managers develop information policy and regulations, general ICT
infrastructure of the organisations, and information culture of the organisations. The study
suggested further studies to be carried out of the areas is Top management‘s role in supplier‘s
selection and evaluation in TQM. Also use of information systems and technologies to support
TQM and finally, to investigate the behavioural and cultural issues that can influence the
implementation of TQM. | en_US |