Operations and environment: an expanded focus for TQM

Calls attention to an expanded focus for total quality management(TQM) which includes the environmental impact of manufacturing. Just as the concept of TQM forced a change in the economic paradigms of quality, provides empirical evidence that firms seeking a more globalized level of customer satisfaction, one which includes both cost competitiveness and environmentally sound products and processes, have overcome the traditional economic assumption that being environmentally sound reduces productivity. Provides an exploratory discussion which integrates environmental legislation, public concerns and consumer requirements with traditional operations management (OM) thinking in order to support the view of the potential role of TQM in developing synergies between operational performance and environmental excellence.