English

DTIC ADA225419: A Study as to the Feasibility of the Department of Defense Mandating its Supplier Base Adopt Total Quality Management

The purpose of this thesis is to study the issues surrounding whether DoD can successfully mandate its supplier base adopt Total Quality Management (TQM), or an equivalent quality-oriented management philosophy. Hewlett-Packard and Motorola, Inc., two firms currently requiring their suppliers adopt a quality-focused management philosophy, were studied. The researcher determined that DoD could successfully mandate its supplier base adopt TQM provided the following infrastructure was in place and well established prior to the mandate; adequate in-house experience and expertise; comprehensive supplier training program; supplier performance tracking capability; comprehensive supplier quality audit procedure; formal joint DoD-industry TQM council; and congressional support. Keywords: Department of Defense, Theses, Personnel management.

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