Which of the following is a key principle of Total Quality Management?

Employee involvement and empowerment is a key principle of Total Quality Management (TQM) because it emphasizes the importance of engaging all members of an organization in the pursuit of quality improvement. TQM operates on the premise that every individual in the organization has a role to play in enhancing quality, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility.

When employees are empowered, they are encouraged to take initiative, share their ideas, and participate actively in decision-making processes. This leads to a greater sense of ownership over their work and the overall quality of the products or services provided, resulting in improved performance and customer satisfaction.

In contrast, focusing solely on short-term goals may neglect the long-term benefits of continuous quality improvement, while infrequent review of performance metrics can lead to missed opportunities for enhancement and problem-solving. Similarly, leadership's withdrawal from quality processes undermines the commitment necessary for fostering a quality-centric culture within the organization. Thus, employee involvement and empowerment stands out as a fundamental principle that drives TQM's effectiveness.