Which method is often included in TQM practices?

Employee empowerment and involvement is a fundamental component of Total Quality Management (TQM) practices. This approach recognizes that employees are the ones directly engaged in the processes and are often the best source of information for improving quality. By empowering employees and involving them in decision-making, organizations can harness their insights and expertise, leading to more innovative solutions and a stronger commitment to quality.

Empowerment involves providing employees with the authority, resources, and training necessary to take initiatives that can improve quality. When employees feel valued and accountable for their work, they tend to be more motivated and engaged, which can result in higher quality outputs and overall satisfaction both on the job and for the end customer.

In contrast, an increased hierarchical structure may stifle communication and impede the flow of ideas, limiting the participation of frontline workers. Strict quality control at the end of production may overlook the importance of preventing defects earlier in the process, which is counter to TQM principles that advocate for quality at every stage. Lastly, limiting customer feedback undermines one of the core tenets of TQM, which emphasizes the importance of understanding and meeting customer needs to enhance overall quality.