Success Factors of Total Quality Management (TQM) Practices: A Case Study of University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the Total Quality Management (TQM) procedures at the University of Technology and Applied Science (UTAS). This involves assessing variables such as top management commitment, continuous improvement, employee development and empowerment, and strategic management. Subsequently, the study seeks to determine the essential success factors for implementing the TQM system at UTAS. A questionnaire was created involving TQM at a higher education institution in Oman, specifically focusing at UTAS. It consists of demographic information, top management commitments, continuous improvements, employee development and empowerment, and strategic management. As part of the study's convenient sampling technique, 300 fully completed questionnaires from seven Colleges of Technology functioning within UTAS were gathered. The TQM procedures were evaluated in conjunction with factor analysis which was conducted using the t-test. The survey reveals that there is a significant relationship between TQM practices and top management commitment, continuous improvement, employee development and empowerment, and strategic planning. The study highlights quality as the most crucial method in higher education, sheds light on the essential success factors for implementing TQM at UTAS and provides future improvements in various areas of operations for UTAS.