Quality Decision Making in Management

Quality Decision Making in Management

The overall purpose of this research paper is to define and assess decision making in management as well as the need for alternatives to use in the decision making processes. Management is concerned with combining all of the inputs of production. Managers decide what to make and how to make it. They chose from the available inputs and work out the right mix. Management must organize production to meet the goals of the company, which normally include keeping manufacturing costs low and producing a profit. The first industrial managers were men like Richard Arkwright and Thomas Edison, both inventors and businessmen. They own their companies and made all the management decisions. As the scale of production increased in the 19th century, ownership of companies was divided among shareholders. Management gradually became separated from ownership and a class of professional managers emerged. Although this emphasis is on industry, the principles of management are strongly illuminated herein, in my opinion. The division of labor has been successfully applied to management.

In the modern factory, managers specialize in one function; production, finance, marketing, personnel or public affairs. Management is a skilled occupation, and the amount of education needed to become a professional manager is increasing. Managers are schooled in all aspects of production and business. (The Learning Store).

At this point, I would like to address the need for alternatives, as well as factors operating within an organization which shape individual decisions and encourage individual initiatives.

"Sometimes courage is more critical than judgment in making a decision." This, as a belief of mine ties in with factors operating within an organization. It also deals with conviction, courage, value, truth, as well as individual initiatives. For example, Total Quality Management represents an excellent example. Total Quality Management, by definition, encompasses teamwork and thus, gives new meaning to the decision making process. Individuals must make decisions on their own, and as well, be willing to participate with other team members.

Total Quality Management has everything to do with decision making in management. It is my opinion that there exists many dimensions and aspects to TQM and in the new global environment where environmental issues are one of the more prominent on the agenda of many. Many of the labels on products produced worldwide are carrying postings which state "recyclable" or "ecologically friendly" which has become a strong marketing point. Marketers have increasingly realized that consumers will more likely and quickly opt for the ecologically friendly package rather than not. Also, the public is more educated as to various environmental issues, thanks to high profile celebrities and media attention. Indeed, quality control is a responsibility and as the word implies, it is also a total responsibility. Total Quality Management (TQM), is a philosophy which states that the goal is "to meet customer expectations 100 percent of the time.

It is through the internal chain of supplies and customers that the expectations of internal customers are met. Just as the concept is the fact that TQM is a process for continued improvement through change, we as suppliers will find that meeting our customers' expectations needs and wants will require changes and/or improvements to the system with which we work. We need to first determine what our customers' expectations are. Then we need to commit to eliminate the barriers, solving the problems, making the improvements or initiating the changes that allow us to meet these expectations. The process is continual because; 1) the goal is 100 percent conformance and 2) customer expectations will change over time. (Food Engineering, p. 30). To a large extent, this is certainly a mindset that not only to TQM but as well to its multi-faceted components. It is a necessity to pull together as a team for the purpose of total quality performance. This however, may be easier said than done.

It is also my opinion that the system which America has inherited by virtue of its framers, their philosophies and ideologies to some extent works to our own detriment. For example, it is difficult for me and others to comprehend the implementation of TQM and all its dimensions without the complete involvement and cooperation of labor. In terms of human resources, I believe that TQM can well be applied to forces outside the immediate working environment, such as schools, parental guidance, businesses, civic organizations, and the general informed populace to a great extent. We can realize a demonstration of alternative organizations models through TQM as they relate to decision making, problem solving and logic.

I would like to focus on objectives in one alternative regarding decision making i.e. TQM. TQM reflects many dimensions and contains a complex composition and does strife from specific common denominators. The achievement of high quality, sustainable economic growth for poor throughout the world will require credible national economic policies promoting reforms for the poor. Countries must support carefully designed economic programs that address the problems at the root of poverty. The programs must involve the reduction of fiscal deficits and monetary measures, focusing on achieving price stability and realistic exchange rates. Reform policies involving social safety nets and ecological safeguards, must be implemented to serve the poor. The financing of high quality growth is best accomplished by increasing the taxes of the rich and by promoting national savings. Macroeconomic discipline goes hand in hand with structural reforms that are designed to promote efficient resource use and to remove the most rooted obstacles of growth. Here I refer to reforms that eliminate damages distortions in both industry as well as human resources such as the accent is on industry.

However, TQM is applicable to virtually all organizations. Within the global market place, quality is an issue of paramount concern. During the 1980's, when "In Search of Excellence" and other books about well managed companies were published, corporate executives began talking about quality. Subsequently, they began doing something about improving quality of products and services. The Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award established in 1987 by Congress has become a standard of excellence in corporate America. (LeMoine, p. 10). Throughout the course of this research paper, I have attempted to identify the many facets of teamwork as well as to illustrate them in practice. As indicated, TQM reflects a total commitment