title: Overcoming barriers to effectiveness in a health care operational environment: building on the lessons of American industry.
abstract: Several of the manufacturing-based philosophies, techniques and tools, such as Total Quality Management (TQM), Continuous Improvement (CI), Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and Time-based Competition (TBC) have been successfully adapted for use within the service sector. Diverse service industries including airlines, insurance, food services and hospitality have increased customer satisfaction and performance through the use of the quality driven, manufacturing-based philosophies. This article explores the reasons for the limited success of TQM/CI, BPR, TBC and benchmarking within the health care industry. Sixteen barriers to change are identified, possible counter-measures to these barriers are outlined and two conceptual frameworks are offered as possible facilitators of change for the health care industry.
authors.affiliation: Zimmerer and Associates, Springfield, MO 65802, USA.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Zimmerer
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Zimmerer
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yasin
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D019981:Health Care Sector / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States