Level of Total Quality Management Adoption in Qatari Educational Institutions: Private and Semi-Government Sector

Abstract

The authors evaluated the level of Total Quality Management (TQM) adoption in Qatari educational institutions within private and semigovernment institutions. To accomplish these objectives, a literature review was done of TQM adoption in higher education institutions, followed by a survey questionnaire. Data were collected from Qatari educational institutions with SPSS used in performing the analysis. It assessed awareness, understanding, benefits, and progress of TQM implementation based on the 11 critical success factors (CSFs) or essential elements developed in the revisited model of leverage points for a total quality culture transformation. The strongest driving force toward TQM was teamwork while the strongest restraining force was lack of knowledge of TQM principles and its associated tools. The analysis concluded that although there was a low level of TQM implementation, the dominant perception of TQM in general was positive where a culture toward collective consciousness or teamwork was beginning to be accepted within private and semigovernment educational institutions in Qatar. The findings would be of a particular interest to private and public educational institutions; especially those that intend to initiate TQM and accreditation within their institutions in the Middle East.