AN ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT ON ORGANISATIONAL GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Total Quality Management (TQM) has emerged as a holistic framework aimed at enhancing organizational operations, outputs, and services to achieve customer satisfaction and ensure long-term sustainability. Originating in the 1950s, TQM gained traction through the foundational contributions of quality management pioneers such as W. Edwards Deming, Joseph Juran, and Philip Crosby. These scholars emphasized the principle that quality should be embedded within the production process itself rather than merely inspected post-production (Deming, 1986). Over time, TQM has evolved into a central element of strategic planning across various industries—including manufacturing, education, healthcare, and service delivery. At its core, TQM promotes continuous improvement, active employee participation, and an unwavering commitment to meeting customer expectations as essential drivers of organizational excellence (Oakland, 2014). The foundational principles of TQM, as outlined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO, 2009), include customer orientation, strong leadership, full employee engagement, a process-driven approach, systematic management, ongoing improvement, evidence-based decision-making, and strategic supplier partnerships. These principles collectively aim to foster an organizational culture wherein quality becomes a shared responsibility and an operational imperative. The increasing adoption of TQM practices is largely fueled by the pressure to remain competitive in a globalized marketplace, where maintaining high-quality standards is often essential for organizational survival (Kaynak, 2003). Although TQM is broadly acknowledged as a key enabler of organizational performance, scholarly debates continue regarding its comprehensive impact on organizational growth and longevity. Several empirical studies have found that TQM contributes significantly to operational effectiveness by streamlining processes, reducing waste, and fostering customer retention, all of which are linked to enhanced financial performance (Ahire et al., 1996; Samson & Terziovski, 1999). Organizations that have effectively implemented TQM report gains such as improved product quality, cost savings, elevated customer satisfaction, and increased profitability—factors that cumulatively strengthen market positioning and foster long-term success (Feng et al., 2015). However, despite its benefits, the implementation of TQM is often fraught with challenges. Organizational resistance to change, insufficient commitment from senior leadership, limited employee training, and weak internal communication structures have been identified as significant obstacles to effective TQM integration (Besterfield et al., 2018). Yusof and Aspinwall (2000), for example, found that although many organizations initiate TQM programs, they frequently fail to institutionalize quality management principles within their organizational culture and strategic orientation, leading to underwhelming outcomes. Moreover, for TQM to be successful, it must be strategically aligned with the organization's overarching goals. TQM is not simply a collection of tools but represents a transformative approach that demands a fundamental shift in managerial mindset and operational philosophy (Zairi, 2012). Furthermore, the link between TQM and organizational sustainability is nuanced and context-specific. While short-term gains in efficiency and performance are often observed, the long-term effects on organizational viability and competitive advantage are less conclusive (Kaynak, 2003). The success of TQM may vary across sectors and be influenced by factors such as organizational culture, industry dynamics, and the depth of TQM integration into strategic operations (Mokhtar & Salim, 2019). In view of these complexities, the present study aims to explore the impact of Total Quality Management on organizational growth and survival. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Although Total Quality Management (TQM) is widely regarded as a crucial strategy for enhancing organizational performance, many firms face significant difficulties in implementing its principles in ways that yield sustainable growth and long-term survival. Despite its focus on improving quality, empirical evidence suggests that organizations often struggle to attain optimal outcomes from TQM initiatives (Juran, 2010). Key barriers include resistance to organizational change, low levels of employee participation, and inadequate training frameworks, all of which compromise the efficacy of TQM implementation (Besterfield et al., 2018). Moreover, the impact of TQM on sustained organizational success remains a contested topic. While certain studies affirm that TQM enhances operational efficiency, its direct correlation with financial performance, profitability, or market share expansion is not always consistent (Mokhtar & Salim, 2019). The lack of extensive empirical research examining the long-term effects of TQM across various sectors further underscores the need for a more nuanced investigation. Therefore, this study seeks to critically assess the impact of Total Quality Management on the growth and survival of organizations, thereby addressing an important gap in the existing literature. 1.3 THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The broad objective of the study is to assess the Influence of Total Quality Management on Organisational Growth and Sustainability. The specific objectives is as follows 1.To examine how the total quality management (TQM) can be applied to the growth of an organization.  2.To ascertain the effects of such application on the business organization in general and the purchasing department in particular. 3.To establish whether TQM is relevant in furthering the course of supply / delivery. 4.To determine if TQM can help to maximize profit. 5.To discover how TQM can enhance organizational competitive ability. 6.To determine how TQM can help to increase productivity and sales. 1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS The research questions for this project study are: 1.How can the total quality management (TQM) be applied to the growth of an organization? 2.What is the effects of quality management (TQM) on the business organization in general? 3.Is TQM relevant in furthering the course of supply / delivery? 4.Can TQM help to maximize profit? 5.How can TQM enhance organizational competitive ability? 6.How can TQM help to increase productivity and sales? 1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES In this research study both the null (Ho) and alternative (HI) hypotheses are made use of as shown below: H0: Total quality management does not have an impact on the growth and survival of an organisation Ha: Total quality management does have an impact on the growth and survival of an organisation. 1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The research project is significant in many aspects. In the first place, it is significant in the sense that it will help to determine the new concept of total quality management. It will also show how TQM can work hand in hand with the purchasing section to achieve greater organizational efficiency. It is also for the partial fulfilment of the award of Higher National Diploma (HND). It is equally significant because it will outline the various virtues of TQM in comparison with other management concept. It will reveal how TQM can be used to improve the overall organizational concept. This study is significant because it will increase the body of academic knowledge available as a research study. It is also relevant in the sense that it will serve as references to future researchers on issues connected with the present research problem. 1.7 SCOPE TO THE STUDY The study focus on the Influence of Total Quality Management on Organisational Growth and Sustainability. Empirically, the study will examine how the total quality management (TQM) can be applied to the growth of an organization, ascertain the effects of such application on the business organization in general and the purchasing department in particular, establish whether TQM is relevant in furthering the course of supply / delivery, determine if TQM can help to maximize profit, discover how TQM can enhance organizational competitive ability and determine how TQM can help to increase productivity and sales. Geographically, the study will be delimited to Peterson zonchonis (PZ) Aba, Abia state, Nigeria 1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY There are a lot of obstacles encountered when conducting the research. The most salient of them include: 1. Lack of fund: inadequate fund delayed the take-off of the project. Initially, there was no money for stationery or for trips to libraries to look for materials.  2. Unavailability of materials: there may not be enough relevant materials in the polytechnic library.  3. lack of time: the writing of the project concede with time of preparing for the semester examinations.  4. Distribution and retrieval problems: the distribution of the questionnaires which has to be combined with the lectures was not easy, it was not easy for the researcher to investigate in other companies relevant to the study, but only limited to PZ Aba, Abia state which is the case study. 1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS Performance: this term denotes to the end result of organization activities.  Operating Procedures: this refers to the pre-determined and approved means of varying out the business of the organization. Decision: this is the process of choosing one course of action in the face of many alternatives.  Appraisal: this is the assessment of an organization to ascertain the planned result. Efficiency: this term denotes to the states of minimizing cost but at the same time minimizing quality and quantity without additional resources. Researcher: an individual carrying out a research investigation. Quality: this is the totality of features and characteristics of a product or a service that bears on the ability to satisfy a stated given needs. Right Quality: this is the quality which can be purchased at the lowest cost to fulfil the need or satisfy the intended function for which the material is being purchased. Best Quality: this is the highest quality of the highest grade of a particular item.  Conformance: the meeting of specification Reliability: the probability of failure within a specified time period. Durability: the life expectancy. Serviceability: the maintainability and ease of fixing or easy repairing of the item.