Peculiarities of Implementation the Total Quality Management (TQM) System in High Educational Institutions (HEIs)

Total quality management emphasizes continuous improvement, which requires participation of company’s whole permanent staff in the aim of developing vision, plans and seeking continuous improvement. Higher education institutions are complex organizations, practicing traditional and distinct culture. At all stages employees of the institution are organized and motivated with knowledge and responsibility, because the results obtained in the field of education are not only reflected in the product received by any institution, but also the importance and effects of these results reflect on public welfare and development. Adoption/Introduction of TQM in HEIs helps to maintain competitiveness, determine the requirements of the labor market and make adequate decisions in accordance with these requirements, eliminate organizational problems. TQM is a new management philosophy and combination of methods that requires not only a change in management/administration methods, but also a change in managerial thinking, which is reflected in improved teamwork and enhanced collaboration. In higher education, this cooperation has enormous importance to ensuring continuous quality progress. Aforementioned is achieved by readiness of the top management to raise awareness of the employees in regards with the importance of TQM. The aim of the paper is to determine the readiness of HEIs and to identify the features, challenges, and barriers that arise in the process of introducing TQM.