Total quality management implementation in al-Iman schools : a descriptive study

Dissertant

Aruri, Islam Yusuf

Thesis advisor

Najm, Mundhir

Comitee Members

Abd al-Karim, Nasir
Najm, Mundhir
al-HajjIh, Anis

University

Birzeit University

Faculty

Faculty of Business and Economics

Department

Department of Business Administration

University Country

Palestine (West Bank)

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2007

English Abstract

Though TQM has been widely adopted by manufacturing companies and other businesses in the world, it is still in its infancy in the educational field, particularly in developing countries such as Palestine.

Research on quality management in Palestinian educational institutions has been somewhat limited.

This study is an attempt to fill this gab through studying the possibilities, implications and estimated consequences of implementing TQM principles at the Palestinian educational institutions.

A case study analysis was adopted, through Al-Iman Secondary Schools in Jerusalem, to achieve the study objectives, investigate the probability of successful implementation of TQM principles in Palestinian educational institutions, determine the critical quality factors required for TQM implementation, identify the gap that exists and suggest the suitable guidelines and recommendations.

Triangulation methodology that involves both quantitative and qualitative methodologies was employed.

A questionnaire was designed to measure the knowledge and perceptions of academic directors, department heads, and teachers of TQM and the extent of its utilization at Al-Iman Schools.

Thus, the quality factors cited in literature and considered as essentials to successful implementation of TQM were identified.

The questionnaire was administered to 130 directors and teachers, of whom 125 responded.

The data yielded the following results : 1.

A significant difference was found among the respondents concerning their opinion in the implementation of TQM at their schools.

2.

A significant difference was found in the opinions of respondents concerning TQM's appropriateness for academic institutions and its perception as another management fad.

3.

A significant difference was found in the respondents' knowledge of TQM concepts and critical factors.

4.

A significant difference was found in the opinions of respondents concerning the problem-solving abilities of teamwork and the excessive time it requires.

5.

A significant difference was found in the opinions of department heads concerning staff empowerment and reduction of their authority.

6.

A significant difference was found in the opinions of respondents concerning their empowerment and an increase in their participation in process improvement.

7.

A significant difference was found in the respondents' opinion concerning the use of TQM vocabulary in their daily course of action.

Recommendations were suggested in light of the above mentioned findings, and the overall result of the study was that many steps should be taken, and hard work and planning should be carried out at Al-Iman Secondary Schools if they want to successfully implement TQM procedures and practices.

Main Subjects

Educational Sciences

Topics

• Management
• Schools
• Palestine

No. of Pages

84

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-301959