The implementation of any new system into a business strategy is a significant investment in time, money and energy. It would seem that any company wanting to make this significant invest in integrating TQM into their business strategy should make every effort to get the most out of their investment.

Although in an ideal situation the above constraints would be addressed prior, I would believe that most companies would be discouraged by all of the requirements to a successful TQM implementation. I have worked for a global company that distributes chemicals that successfully implemented TQM into their business strategy while remaining centralized and gained significant value out of the program. Perhaps they did not achieve all of the possible benefit, but they clearly gained a competitive advantage in the endeavor. The key is in the long term planning translating into short term wins for the business and the employees (Calingo, 1996).

QUESTION: Do you feel that a company can gain benefit from implementing TQM into their business strategies without first accommodating those structural conditions?