Total quality management (TQM) has been applied widely in developed countries, and now appears to many as a precursor of the broader concept of business excellence. By contrast, in developing countries ISO 9000 series standards have been the focus of quality management development, and TQM is a new and challenging concept. TQM companies are rare, and with few exceptions are subsidiaries of larger multinational organisations. Examines the progress of four Thai SMEs attempting to implement TQM over a two‐year period, assisted by a facilitator and a “model company”. Relevant literature is briefly reviewed and issues of particular relevance to SMEs discussed. The efforts, problems, barriers and progress of the companies are described. The relative success of the companies was found to be related in large part to management and information issues, which are discussed.

Describes the progress of quality management in Thailand. Quality management is new to Thai industry, but it has been adopted with great speed in recent years. Reports on a major survey, carried out to identify the current position, trends and attitudes within Thai industry. Notes a great increase in certification to the ISO 9000 series standards. Identifies reasons for seeking certification, the key difficulties and benefits experienced in introducing ISO 9000. The implementation of total quality management (TQM) in Thailand was also surveyed. Results indicated that TQM had made relatively little progress and, with the exception of a few large Thai‐owned groups, was largely concentrated in foreign‐owned companies within the electronics sector. However, increasingly, Thai‐owned companies are accepting the challenge of ISO 9000 and looking towards TQM in the future.

Describes research which has been carried out using case-study analysis to investigate how three Thai companies have adopted TQM. As Japanese and US companies are major investors in Thailand, one purpose of the study was to compare approaches to TQM implementation between three ownership categories: Thai, Japanese, and US-owned companies operating in Thailand. A framework of TQM implementation developed from change management theory has been adopted for this study. The methodology used involved structured interviews with key staff throughout the selected organisations. The data collected were analysed for content using interview phrase-matching. This method of analysis proved effective and can form the foundation for an in-depth understanding of TQM implementation. The case study analysis illustrates that the companies studied have adopted distinct approaches to the implementation of TQM, which are described and placed in the context of the theoretical framework. Also describes the common characteristics of the TQM company which were found in the companies investigated.

Reports on the Thai Foundation Quality System Standard (TFQSS) project which aimed to develop a basic quality management system standard for small Thai manufacturing businesses to assist them in increasing awareness of quality and develop towards the ISO 9000 series standards, without introducing unnecessary complexity or cost. The project involved five small Thai companies who were assisted by a project facilitator in the development of quality systems to meet the requirements of the TFQSS. The choice of companies was representative of typical Thai small manufacturing businesses, and covered a number of significant industry types. The five companies, all made considerable progress in quality management and have achieved the requirements of the standard at audit. The standard was initially seen by most collaborating companies as a significant challenge, and yet was achieved by all in about one half of the average implementation period for ISO 9002. Most of the companies, after having achieved TFQSS were confidently planning to move further in quality management, towards either ISO 9000 or TQM. Describes the TFQSS project, outlines the contents of the standard, and compares it with another basic national quality standard, Q‐Base Code from New Zealand, and with ISO 9001.