Effects_of_Quality_Management_on_Domestic_and_Global_Competition

Effects of Quality Management on Domestic and Global Competition Introduction Quality management is emerging as an important business practice in daily operations. Companies want to ensure they create a high quality performing product or service to its customer that meets or exceeds its customers’ demand. Some programs of quality management are Six Sigma, Theories of Constraint, and Total Quality Management (Importance of Quality Management, 2010). The practice of quality management in business is important to companies. Some important reasons are product quality, customer satisfaction, increased revenue, and teamwork (Importance of Quality Management, 2010). In this paper, quality management will be discussed in regard to its effect on organizations that operate in the domestic market and international market. The organizations chosen are Southwest Airlines and British Airways. Southwest Airlines operate domestically and British Airways operate internationally. Similar Processes between Southwest Airlines and British Airways Southwest Airlines Company is a major low-fare domestic airline, which offers a reliable product with commendable customer service. Today Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in regard to passenger boarded. Southwest Airlines flights are within 37 states, and serve 72 cities. British Airways is a full service global airline. The airline has year-round low fares with an extensive global route network that offers flights around the world. British Airways is the largest international airlines in the United Kingdom. The process used by both companies is Total Quality Management in the improvement of their services and operations. 1. Both companies are customer-focused and their vision is to increase the company’s value of its goods and services offered to the customer. Data is reviewed and collected in regard to the customer satisfaction of the services provided. In using this type of strategy (customer-focused), the company’s develops improved products and meet the needs of the company. This helps companies achieve high Total Quality Management process (Steps in Total Quality Management, 2012). 2. During the planning process, the information gathered will be used by the companies to plan its business processes in meeting the needs of the customers. Changing, correcting, and creating new products or services are Total Quality Management process. The quality of the product is based on the customer’s perception. Achieving this is done through planning and deciding (Steps in Total Quality Management, 2012). 3. As the planning process is complete, management may focus on the production process. This includes reviewing products and services to ensure quality standards are not inconsistent, customer needs are met. Managers must also look at cost to ensure customers are receiving high-quality service at a cheap cost (Steps in Total Quality Management). 4. Total Quality Management is driven by process improvements. Consumer markets do not operate the same because the level of demand changes. Customers change his or her preference, and there are changes in income. The willingness of companies to adjust to the changes ensures Total Quality Management for their services. Improving the process to reduce costs are ways businesses may improve its processes to remain competitive (Steps to Total Quality Management, 2012). 5. There has to be total participation from employees. They must be committed to customer focus on producing the best service to meet the demands of the consumer. Each employee must be trained, educated, and developed in the strategy of customer focus by managers. Communication lines must be created between the manager and the employee should any issues arise that affect the process, communication will allow the company to react (Steps in Total Quality Management, 2012). Process Produces a Competitive Service in the Domestic and Global Markets By using total quality management, Southwest Airlines, and British Airways have developed a culture, values, and principles connected with continuous improvement. The developed culture helps the companies develop a management system that has an effective service that meets the customer’s expectation. The application of total quality management has allowed Southwest Airlines to understand the needs of its customers and the airlines delivers the service to its customers. British Airways is in the same situation. British Airways has maintained a position by understanding the needs of its customers, and his or her preference, and his or her diversity. The Effects of Quality Management on the Position of Companies The quality management approach helps the companies transform its operations according to what is required of the airline industry and the customers. Southwest Airlines has positioned itself and is transforming to the demands of its customers. British Airways has also positioned itself and is transforming to the demands of its customers on a global scale. Conclusion The discussion has been how quality management has emerged as an important business practice in daily operations, how companies want to ensure they create a high quality performing product or service to its customer that meets or exceeds its customers’ demand. Some programs of quality management are Six Sigma, Theories of Constraint, and Total Quality Management. , quality management will be discussed in regard to its effect on organizations that operate in the domestic market and international market. References The Importance of Quality Management (2010). Retrieved February 10, 2012 from http://www.ehow.com/about_5377881_importance_quality_management.html Steps in Total Quality Management (2012). Retrieved February 10, 2012 from http://www.ehow.com/about_5414945_steps-total-quality-management.htm Southwest Airlines (2011). Retrieved February 10, 2012 from www.southwest.com/html/about-southwest/history/fact-sheet.html British Airways (Unknown). Retrieved February 10, 2012 from www.britishairways.com/travel/about-british-airways/public/en_gb