논문

To compete in the global economy, Total Quality Management(TQM) has been adopted both in American componies and govenrments since middle of 1980s. If American componies are to compete with European and Asian challengers, and come out on top, fedral, state and local governments must be far more responsive and ready for the people's needs. TQM is a holistic approach to organizational change that has been gaining an increasing attention in the field of organizational management. Although quality improvement has been in existence for quite a while, many believe that the 1990s are indeed the age of quality improvement revolution. The adoption of TQM is a practical response to the forces that are pushing both the public and private sectors to change their management philosophy and approach. American federal and state governments, in particular, are finding their support and options of TQM provides them with multiple benefits. Among them are general public support, protection of their economic base, in-kind support from the private sector, and increased efficiency. At this point, it will be appropriate to provide a brief outline of TQM awards to accelerate the implementation of TQM in governments. As part of the reinventing of government activities, federal and state quality awards are changing to reflect the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award criteria as the preferred quality management standard. This paper describes American federal and state government efforts to improve quality and productivity in the public sectors through quality award programs, and then, examines the effects and implications of the progams for the Korean central and local governments to adopt the programs. If TQM programs result the efficiency and responsiveness of the public sector in U.S., it has no doubt that the Korean governments should consider its adoption.