The Sustainability of TQM in an Innovative Environment: The Quality of Virtual Organization

Abstract

This research study looks at application and sustainability of Total Quality Management in virtual organizations based on the ever-increasing number of virtual organizations in United Arab Emirates and internationally. TQM has been successfully implemented to enhance performance, profitability and sustainability of the traditional brick-and-mortar organizations. But can this implementation be replicated successfully in virtual workplaces: This research reports have a background on the development of TQM and its relevance to both the brick-and-mortar as well as the virtual organizations. It lays down the objectives and hypotheses of the study. The hypotheses include determining how virtual organizations can improve and sustain performance and quality, establishing the TQM approach needed in virtual organization and determining how to measure the quality of the products and services of the virtual organization. Further, the study reviews literature regarding TQM, organizational performance and virtual workplaces. It traces the genesis of the virtual organization in mid-1980s and its development to today, with a focus on the advantages and disadvantages. The research method is laid out. Finally, the research report discusses the findings, making recommendations on how to ensure sustainability of TQM in virtual workplaces. There is a list of references at the end.