A survey of total quality management in Iran.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to investigate the success of TQM and barriers to its successful implementation in health care services organizations in Isfahan province, Iran, 2004.


METHODS
This descriptive and cross-sectional research was done via two questionnaires (TQM success and its barriers). The statistical population of this research consists of all managers of health care services organizations who implemented TQM in their organizations (90 managers).


RESULTS
TQM success in Isfahan health care organizations was high. In correlation analyses between the success of TQM and its principles, success, process management and focus on employees had a positive and the greatest effect and focus on material resources and on suppliers had a lower effect. In correlation analysis between the barriers to TQM and the problem dimensions, human resource, strategic and structural problems were the most important obstacles and barriers to TQM successful implementation respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Although conducted in Iran, it is anticipated that the findings may well have relevance on a broader scale.


CONCLUSIONS
By replicating this study in different countries and contexts the results could be very fruitful for developing a model of TQM that can be implemented easily, effectively, efficiently and successfully in a cross-cultural context.
Rad
Ali Mohammad Mosadegh
AM
School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK.
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D007492:Iran; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*