Total Quality Teams: The Relationship Between Team Member Effectiveness and Total Quality Management Participation (TQM) Index in Manager Teams of a Service-oriented TQM Organization

Abstract

This undergraduate thesis, based on Total Quality Management (TQM) Theory (Oakland, 1989 as cited in Koch, 1991), Influences on Team Effectiveness (Hellriegel et al., 2001) and Team Role Theory (Parker, 2000), explored the relationship between team member effectiveness (TME) and TQM participation (TQMP) among selected managers and supervisors (N=115) in service-oriented TQM organization. Using survey research technique and Pearson moment correlation, this research found that, in general, there is a strong positive correlation (r= 0.683 at the .01 level, 2-tailed) between team member effectiveness and Total Quality Management Participation. Moreover, select dimensions of TME were found to have significant and positive correlation with select dimensions of TQMP (Communication, Member Development-and Leadership & Climate of TME with Quality & Leadership, Employee Development and Operations of TQMP; Commitment & Achievement of TME with Customer of TQMP; Purpose of TME with Quality & Leadership and Customer of TQMP). Furthermore, the correlation between TME and TQMP varied based on dominating team role classification. Implications include the value of small group communication, team role behaviors and organizational communication in Total Quality Management.