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Management Science—Total Quality Management Interfaces: An Integrative Framework

Author

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  • Sanjay L. Ahire

    (Department of Management, Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-3806)

Abstract

Management science (MS) and total quality management (TQM) are powerful approaches to improving the operations of organizations. While MS uses quantitative techniques to yield information-based strategies for decision problems, TQM aims at improving the quality of processes to produce superior products at lower cost. Hence, MS and TQM should, in principle, be intertwined to attain efficient and cost-effective operations. However, neither researchers nor practitioners in these two fields have recognized the vital linkage. By viewing TQM from process-improvement and implementation perspectives, I establish links of prominent MS techniques, such as decision analysis, forecasting, mathematical programming, and simulation, to various facets of TQM. Applications of two important tools (linear programming and simulation) to the service operations of high customer-contact organizations illustrate these linkages. I strongly encourage organizations to systematically integrate MS techniques into TQM programs. Such efforts will result in better planning and implementation of TQM efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanjay L. Ahire, 1997. "Management Science—Total Quality Management Interfaces: An Integrative Framework," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 27(6), pages 91-105, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orinte:v:27:y:1997:i:6:p:91-105
    DOI: 10.1287/inte.27.6.91
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    Cited by:

    1. Özlem Yaþar Uðurlu & Nurettin Ýbrahimoðlu & Sibel Ayas, 2013. "A Content Analysis on Management Fashions in Turkish Manufacturing Companies," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 3(4), pages 164-183.
    2. Ferry Koster & Mattijs Lambooij, 2018. "Managing Innovations: A Study of the Implementation of Electronic Medical Records in Dutch Hospitals," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(01), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Sanjay L. Ahire & Michael F. Gorman & David Dwiggins & Oleh Mudry, 2007. "Operations Research Helps Reshape Operations Strategy at Standard Register Company," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 37(6), pages 553-565, December.
    4. Bošković Gorica & Radosavljević Marija, 2015. "An Analysis of Factors and Effects of Product Design Quality," Economic Themes, Sciendo, vol. 53(4), pages 483-501, December.
    5. Kambiz Tabibzadeh & Terri Friel, 1999. "Simulation: The forgotten tool of TQM," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(4), pages 237-241.
    6. Sanjay L. Ahire, 2001. "Linking Operations Management Students Directly to the Real World," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 31(5), pages 104-120, October.

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