Exploring the implementation of total quality management in Saudi Arabia

Alotaibi, Munif N.

Abstract

The study explores the implementation of Total Quality Management in Saudi Arabia. Particularly, it investigates the factors affecting the implementation of TQM in the educational sector, ‘the Ministry of Education’, to fill a gap of knowledge in the previous literature. These factors are related to the organisational culture in the country. The thesis studies these factors and their relevance in affecting the implementation of TQM. This study aims to explore the nature of the relationship between Total Quality Management and Organisational culture. The first objective of this thesis is to explore the challenges that facing the education quality management in Saudi Arabia. The second objective is to identify the actions that being taken by the Ministry of Education to introduce TQM to the educational system. Finally, the third objective is to determine the factors affecting the implementation of Total Quality Management in the educational system in Saudi Arabia.

Collecting data was via semi-structured interviews as the methodology is qualitative to provide an in-depth understanding of phenomena. Forty employees in the ministry were interviewed who had worked for the ministry for more than five years, so they understood the quality of educational system in the country. The main themes in the findings were identified by analysing them thematically using Miles and Huberman’s (1994) inductive approach.

Regarding the first objective of this research, the findings illustrate the weakness of quality in the educational system in Saudi Arabia, which the interviewees ascribe to some issues such as weak pre-service training, lack of professionalism, misuse of performance evaluation, inconsistent standards of rewards and punishments. In addition, findings show that there are other issues with the quality of education related to school resources and the availability of materials, curriculum, and the centralisation in the system of the Ministry of Education. In regard to the second objective of this research, the findings show that the Ministry of Education has taken some important steps to raise the level of quality by establishing the Total Quality Management Department which has top-level support from the minister. Moreover, there are new programmes and trends made by the ministry such as new curricula, decentralisation, and teachers’ efforts to provide careers guidance. Regarding the third objective of this study, the findings illustrate that there are some obstacles facing the implementation of Total Quality Management in the educational system in Saudi Arabia. Training employees of the ministry and spreading the culture of TQM is facing issues such as insufficient training courses, unqualified trainers, access issues and lack of benefit from those training programmes. Cultural resistance from some parents and principals plays an important role hindering implementation of change. The findings of this study also show that the participation of the staff is not enough, whether they are teachers, principals or members of educational departments.

This study contributes knowledge at both practical and academic levels. At practical level, it offers has pointed recommendations for the ministry’s top management to increase the awareness of TQM importance in regard to improving the quality of educational system and to reach the maximum benefits to the employees and students. On the academic level, as this study gives insights regarding TQM implementation and an understanding of the nature of the TQM application process and the challenges that face its implementation. It contributes to knowledge of TQM by providing empirical evidence that may assist practitioners in the Arab context to improve TQM.

Citation

Alotaibi, M. N. (2014). Exploring the implementation of total quality management in Saudi Arabia. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4221778

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 22, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Business
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4221778
• Additional Information: Business School, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2014