Towards Total Quality Management in a Supportive Employment Workplace

When Total Quality Management (TQM) is being implemented in an organization, what are the implications if the workforce is disabled? BlindCraft, an organization owned by the former Strathclyde Regional Council, provides employment in a sheltered environment and made the decision to develop a system to improve the quality of their products. Their system is analysed from three perspectives: communication, culture and commitment. The authors highlight the importance of organizational culture and human resource policies in implementing TQM in any organization, and the role of front-line supervisors in ensuring the success of the present and any future system.