TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) IS A VERY CONTROVERSIAL MANAGEMENT TOPIC IN CURRENT BUSINESS CIRCLES. HOW TO IMPLEMENT A SUCCESSFUL TQM SYSTEM HAS BECOME A STRATEGIC COMPETITIVE FACTOR FOR LARGE AND SMALL COMPANIES. THE APPROACH TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL GAIN AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IS PROVIDED, INCLUDING STRUCTURED GUIDELINES FROM THE NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD CRITERIA AND THE MINNESOTA QUALITY AWARDS VERSION.
