Total quality management (TQM) is still a new issue for the organisations in Yemen. These organisations need to establish a new strategy towards quality management. Focuses on the difficulties and barriers to the introduction and implementation of TQM in such a culture. The researcher draws on two case study organisations and on the activities proposed by the European excellence model to exemplify TQM. Time was spent explaining these activities to the people involved and was followed by a discussion of the difficulties. By the end of this process the researcher came out with several points to be considered under each activity for the aim of improving the organisations in Yemen and when embarking on implementation of TQM. Other issues include the need for proactive government support, for better technical understanding of TQM, and for a change in organisational culture.

This paper examines the importance of quality management for Yemen, a developing country, in the light of challenges introduced by recent changes in levels of protection from international competition previously enjoyed by Yemeni companies. The current state of quality practices in Yemeni organisations is investigated and discussed. Then a variety of issues relating to the introduction and use of quality management approaches such as ISO 9000 and the European business excellence model (EBEM) are raised, with particular emphasis being placed on cultural issues. This paper also introduces a methodology to test the cultural acceptability of the European business excellence model in Yemen that could be accomplished in Yemen. Finally, the results of surveys and trials conducted in Yemen are presented.