Assembled in this compilation are the President's Message on the Environment and specific information on the President's 1972 environmental proposals. The information includes bills submitted to the Congress, together with letters of transmittal and section-by-section analyses; Executive Orders; and a brief description of other initiatives that…

A remarkable transformation has been accomplished by Japanese industry. One factor leading to the success of this transformation has been the development of a unique approach to quality problems and the formation of national program to assist in the implementation of this approach. Describes this manufacturing process and contrasts it with…

Experience at Rio Salado Community College (Arizona) has shown that an administrative issue should be examined first to determine whether application of the continuous improvement process is an appropriate use of resources. Areas truly in need of significant improvement should have priority. (MSE)

Adaptation of the Total Quality Management approach to organizational improvement at Oregon State University involved creation of 10 pilot finance and administration teams and implementation of a 10-step problem-solving process. The approach has improved staff morale as well as client services. (MSE)

This paper provides an introduction to a particular systems-theoretical approach to problem-solving in the management of education usually referred to as soft-systems methodology (SSM), developed by Peter Checkland in the 1970s. SSM should provide a powerful tool for managers in education at any level who have a strategic role because it can be…

Six Sigma is an organization wide program that provides common set of goals, language, and methodology for improving the overall quality of the processes within the organization (Davis & Heineke 2004). Six Sigma main concern is for the customer. What will the customers want? Need? Six Sigma has a model that helps Sigma get implemented DMAIC model…

The University of Kansas experience in applying Total Quality Management methods illustrates how use of flow charts can reduce substantially the time spent on a complex data-collection and reporting process. Although flow chart construction can be time-consuming, it is a systematic way to uncover sensible solutions with significant payoffs. (MSE)

Some organizations are having difficulty with the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach. Problems appear to come from reliance on prepackaged TQM programs, large-scale, diffuse implementation, mass training programs, measurement paralysis, overemphasis on tools, process selection, outmoded reward structures, and simplistic views of change and…

Planning and management strategies used in the private sector have practical applications for higher education in a period of systemic and organizational stress. Promising strategies include organizational delayering; employee empowerment; boundless thinking, problem-solving teams; accelerated processes; quality management and improvement; and…