Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This introductory text provides a comprehensive and detailed introduction to the theory and practice of quality in the context of 20th century management thinking. Intended primarily for students the text will also be of assistance to practising managers.
Key features include:
* a complete introduction to quality
* an in-depth review of the work of the Quality Guru's methods, tools and techniques
* international case studies drawing on public and private sectors
* coverage of features both service and manufacturing industry
* a Tutor Guide of OHP bases
* case studies, summarized key learning points and assignment questions.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Part 1 Introducing Quality
• 1 The Quality Imperative
• 2 Quality: A Strategic Decision?
• 3 Barriers to Quality
• 4 Classical and Human Relations Thinking
• Part 2 The Gurus
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11 Shigeo Shingo
• 12 Genichi Taguchi
• Part 3 Contemporary Thinking
• 13 Contingency Theory
• 14 Organisations as Systems
• 15 Organisational Cybernetics
• 16 Soft Systems Thinking
• 17 Critical Systems Thinking
• 18 Business Process Re-engineering
• 19 The Learning Organisation
• Part 4 Methods, Tools and Techniques
• 20 Process Analysis
• 21 ISO 9000
• 22 Statistical Methods
• 23 Benchmarking
• 24 Supplier Development
• 25 Qualitative Methods
• 26 Total Systems Intervention
• 27 Effective Organisation
• 28 Employee Participation
• 29 Stakeholder Participation
• 30 Implementing Quality Programmes

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

In the world of business organizations, the term "quality" often invokes ambivalent feelings. Beckford, an organizational effectiveness consultant and an academic, puts the quality movement on a firm foundation by providing an extensive and critical review of the concept. Prior work on the subject usually ranges from boring academic tomes to laundry lists of how-to books. This current book avoids falling into this trap. Its rich description of the field's masters (Deming, Juran, Taguchi, Feigenbaum, et al.) proves its fealty to the academics. Its "methods, tools and techniques" section should appeal to practitioners, both in its description and in its critical review of particular techniques. The book is organized around four parts: introducing quality, the quality gurus, contemporary thinking, and methods, tools and techniques. In addition to successfully straddling theoretical rigor and practicality, the book is different from others in the field because it devotes an entire section to placing quality in the context of other management practices. This allows organizational managers to see how the pursuit of quality is actually complementary to other organizational effectiveness endeavors. Recommended for graduate, faculty, and professional collections. R. Subramanian; Grand Valley State University