Total quality management (TQM) motivational techniques (an international case study)

This study examined motivational techniques for industrial workers in two U.S. and three Dutch factories. Hofstede's national culture model suggests that national culture is one of the primary determinants of how industrial workers will react in the early years of total quality management (TQM) implementation. This research supports that premise, as its findings indicated that Dutch workers did consider TQM motivators pertaining to group behavior and the firm's commitment to quality to be more important compared to their US counterparts. Interaction between nationality and phase of TQM implementation was also significant. Since the TQM concept is a basic tool available to improve the manufacturing process, industrial engineers involved in multinational applications should fmd the results of this study useful in encouraging greater motivation on the part of the workers. Significance: Engineers, who placed in positions responsible for developing TQM strategies, must examine motivational aspects of the TQM in light of their work-force's cultural differences.