According to our text, Production and Operations Management , quality is essential for long term financial success. Our text defines Total Quality Management as managing the entire organizations so that it excels on all dimensions of products and services that are important to the customer. Therefore, in today's market, business must look to the customer to see what they want.
Quality management is recognized in many ways.
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is an annual award, administered by the US department of Commerce, and presented by the President of the United States, to recognize US companies for business excellence and quality achievement. The Baldrige Award also sets an example for companies to strive for, and many companies have achieved this award since 1987, when the first Baldrige Award was presented. Looking at the companies highlighted, they all have something in common. All of these companies are prepared to change along with the market. For example, a number of companies have gone global and Federal Express has not been left behind.