Evaluation of Soft and Hard Total Quality Management at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences.

Background and objectives: This research aims to examine the current level of soft and hard Total Quality Management (TQM) at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences and explore the factors contributing to its success.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 462 university managers and employees selected by stratified random sampling method in 2022. The participants were asked to answer TQM, soft TQM, and hard TQM questionnaires. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi-square tests, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and structural equation modeling.

Results: Managers made up 73 of the participants (15.8%). The average score for TQM was 143.02 ± 11.56, soft TQM 52.47 ± 9.35, and hard TQM 36.49 ± 9.54. There was no statistically significant variation in the mean score of hard TQM, soft TQM, and TQM based on gender or course completion. There was a strong and positive link between the scores of soft TQM, hard TQM, and TQM. Leadership commitment, employee suggestion systems, problem-solving groups, information quality, and preventive maintenance were strongly associated with quality management in the structural equation model.

Conclusion: Given the university's average level of TQM implementation, it appears that steps should be taken to improve the evaluation process and provide feedback to employees. Steps should also be taken toward improving the commitment of senior management to implementing and enhancing the system of employee suggestions, establishing problem-solving groups, and training job duties. TQM can assist employees and increase the quality of the information to improve the university's rank in quality management.