Question

Highlight the similarities or differences between the total quality management and the kaizen approach in improving operations. Provide your opinions on the likelihood of resistance to the implementation of both approaches.Highlight the similarities or differences between the total quality management and the kaizen approach in improving operations. Provide your opinions on the likelihood of resistance to the implementation of both approaches.Highlight the similarities or differences between the total quality management and the kaizen approach in improving operations. Provide your opinions on the likelihood of resistance to the implementation of both approaches.

Answer 1

Total Quality Management and Kaizen

Total Quality Management is a mechanism for identifying and reducing errors in various areas of a business. It is a continuous process. It helps in improving the overall quality of products and services of businesses. This particular philosophy was developed by the management guru William Deming who implemented this system of quality improvement in the Japanese manufacturing industry and it fetched better results.

The meaning of the Japanese word Kaizen is continuous improvement. Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy of improving productivity in the area of operations gradually. It is concerned with the creation of a conducive work environment and teamwork etc. This business philosophy focuses on the efficient utilization of organizational resources and the reduction and elimination of wastage. The following are the similarities or differences between the total quality management and the kaizen approach in improving operations.

Similarities between Total Quality Management and Kaizen

The following are the similarities between the total quality management and the kaizen approach in improving operations.

• Both Total Quality Management and Kaizen are focussed on the continuous improvement of an organization.
• Both the approaches aimed at providing quality products to customers.

Differences between Total Quality Management and Kaizen

The following are the differences between the total quality management and the kaizen approach in improving operations.

• The Total Quality Management shall be used as a top-down as well as a button-up approach whereas Kaizen is normally a bottom-up approach.
• The focus area of Total Quality Management is to attain customer satisfaction through improved quality. In the case of Kaizen, the focus will be on small incremental changes.
• Implementation of Kaizen is less costly compared to the implementation of Total Quality Management.
• In the case of Kaizen, a firm mostly uses the resources available in the organization compared to that of Total Quality Management.

Resistance to the implementation of Total Quality Management and Kaizen

The following are the possible resistance to the implementation of Total Quality Management and Kaizen.

• Lack of expertise regarding the implementation of Total Quality Management and Kaizen may lead to some resistance in the organization.
• Returning to an old management system would be difficult once the Total Quality Management and Kaizen are implemented.
• Reluctance to change from the part of employees will affect the implementation of both the approaches.
• Implementation of Total Quality Management and Kaizen may lead to some kind of friction in the organization.

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