Application of Total Quality Management (TQM) in Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Oman : Shinas College of Technology - A Case Study

Purpose: The objective of the study is to investigate into the quality of the systems, processes, and practices at Shinas College of Technology (ShCT) and to propose a plan for future improvements in relates to quality perspectives and to provide recommendations in various areas of operations on the lines of OAAA institutional accreditation standards. Design/Methodology/Approach: Samples include 50 students, 33 academics, and 16 management employees were selected, and the data was collected through a well-defined questionnaire. Students from the Department of Engineering, Business and Information Technology, were selected on stratified random sampling basis whereas staff was selected on a simple random sampling basis. Findings: The survey reveals that the systems prevailing in ShCT and the practices are aligned with OAAA requirements except for staff promotion and incentives. The ADRI analysis and the study of SAR, QAR and QIP indicates that ShCT practices about Management, Staff, and Students are continuously assessed and well-defined. Practical Implications: The study considers quality assurance as for the top pyramid of higher education. The study throws light on the future improvements of the various areas of operations of the College about the requirements of criteria of the OAAA national standards. Social Implications: The study considers TQM as the most important method for HEIs to achieve efficiency for providing better services and continuous improvements. The Quality is considered as the required power to implement the entire objective desired by the HEIs to attain the efficiency and get the HEIs accredited. Originality/Value: No study has attempted to find out the application of TQM in ShCT, Oman ever before considering the quality assurance in education and it is the first-hand study of its kind. Research Limitations/Implications: The study was restricted to various areas of the operations of the college on three stakeholders namely management, staff and students only. The study could be extended to other areas as well as to other stakeholders so that a detailed insight could be obtained