Improving Performance and Productivity in a Pharmaceutical Company through Total Quality Management Essay

The high technology pharmaceutical company needs organizational change to improve its quality of performance and increase productivity because the adoption of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) is costlier than training and replacing skilled workers (Sargent, 1997), and it requires â€Å"large resource base, a good reputation and wide experience and contacts† that often lack a strong technical base (Bessant & Rush 1995, p. 07). Total quality management (TQM) approach is recommended to make the company improve and standardize its process through collaborative learning (Adler, 1993), enhance employee expertise and knowledge (Kirkman, Lowe, & Young, 1998), and help the company increase its production volume and quality (Lawler, 1994). TQM â€Å"makes quality control an inherent part of the production job and checking is achieved either through automatic monitoring systems or by training the operator in quality monitoring† (Doyle, 2002, p. 174). It involves management practices that encourage employees to be more responsible in ensuring the quality of the products or services and their overall performance for the company’s competitive advantage (Dean & Bowen, 1994). Changes should be made to attain the objectives of TQM such as: (1) implementation of cross-training and skill-based program to promote cross-functional teams, help employees develop skills and enhance knowledge, and motivate them with rewards like cash and flexible work scheduling; (2) commitment to the values of quality and service in order to keep a long term customer partnership; (3) innovation of product design in order to attract more customers and meet their demands (4) ensuring effective data and records management application to secure and make information accessible and reliable; (5) improvement of the quality of business management with suppliers and dealers; and (6) enhancing top management’s performance efficiency, commitment, and flexibility in decision-making and human resources management.