Residency Research Assignment Of Overall Course Grade

Residency Research Assignment60 Of Overall Course Gradewatch The Yout

Residency Research Assignment 60% of Overall Course Grade Watch the Youtube video Deming at Pontiac. Research W. Edwards Deming and the Total Quality Movement (TQM). Read the article 15 Years Later, Lessons From The Failed AOL-Time Warner Merger found here And watch the video How Did the AOL-Time Warner Merger Go Wrong? Research the Aol-Time Warner merger.

Consider how Deming and TQM would have dealt with (or avoided) the problems that occurred. What does a TQM initiative look like in an IT department? How would IT support Total Quality at your chosen company? The paper must be at least 5 pages plus the cover and reference pages and be in APA format. Each paper must have at least 3 academic sources.

Academic sources do not include wikis, message boards, support forums, etc. Do not copy and paste large blocks of text from your sources! As with any research project, make sure to take a position, defend with works cited, and conclude.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The integration of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles and the philosophies of W. Edwards Deming has profoundly influenced organizational practices, especially in the context of large mergers and acquisitions, such as the AOL-Time Warner merger. This paper explores how Deming's TQM could have mitigated the problems faced by the AOL-Time Warner merger, examines what a TQM initiative in an IT department looks like, and discusses how IT can support Total Quality in a chosen corporate environment. The analysis aims to demonstrate that embracing Deming's principles and TQM methodologies could have potentially altered the trajectory of the failed merger and enhanced overall organizational quality.

Overview of W. Edwards Deming and TQM

W. Edwards Deming was a pioneer in quality management whose theories revolutionized manufacturing and service industries. His focus on statistical process control, continuous improvement, and management’s role in quality fostered the development of TQM principles widely adopted worldwide. TQM emphasizes customer satisfaction, employee involvement, process optimization, and a company-wide commitment to quality (Deming, 1986). These principles aim to embed quality into every aspect of organizational processes, promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

The AOL-Time Warner Merger and Its Failures

The AOL-Time Warner merger, completed in 2001, is often cited as a prime example of a failed corporate merger, mainly due to cultural clashes, overvaluation, inadequate due diligence, and strategic misalignments (Pereira & Lebre, 2012). The integration issues led to significant financial losses, loss of shareholder value, and organizational disarray. Many of these issues could have been addressed through rigorous quality management practices, focusing on risk management, cultural integration, and process audits.

How Deming’s TQM Could Have Prevented or Mitigated the Merger’s Problems

Applying Deming’s TQM principles might have altered the fallout from the AOL-Time Warner merger. Deming emphasized management’s responsibility for quality and the importance of understanding variation and systemic issues (Deming, 1986). Had both organizations prioritized process stabilization and cultural alignment before merger finalization, many issues could have been identified early. Deming’s PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle would have encouraged continuous assessment and adjustments, avoiding some pitfalls (Besterfield, 2015). Moreover, a focus on employee involvement and open communication might have eased cultural clashes and facilitated integration.

The Role of TQM in an IT Department

Implementing TQM in an IT department involves establishing clear quality standards, continuously monitoring IT processes, and fostering an environment where team members seek ongoing improvement. Key initiatives include adopting process mapping, quality audits, incident tracking, and customer feedback mechanisms (Garnett & McGregor, 2018). IT leaders must promote a culture of quality that involves all staff in identifying inefficiencies and solutions, aligning IT goals with organizational strategic objectives. Automated quality controls, regular training, and proactive problem solving are essential components to embed TQM in IT functions.

Supporting Total Quality in a Chosen Company

In a hypothetical or real organization, IT can support Total Quality by integrating quality metrics into daily operations, investing in staff training, and promoting cross-functional collaboration. For example, a retail company’s IT department could implement robust customer feedback systems, real-time performance dashboards, and quality assurance protocols for online transactions. Aligning IT initiatives with the broader corporate TQM goals ensures continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Leveraging data analytics can reveal systemic issues, guiding targeted quality interventions (Kumar & Sharma, 2017).

Conclusion

The failure of the AOL-Time Warner merger highlights the critical need for effective quality management practices, particularly in complex organizational integrations. Deming’s TQM principles offer valuable insights into preventing systemic failures through leadership involvement, process control, and cultural alignment. In IT departments, TQM fosters a proactive approach to service quality and process efficiency, ultimately supporting organizational excellence. Embracing Deming’s philosophy and implementing comprehensive TQM initiatives can lead to more resilient and competitive organizations.

References

Besterfield, D. H. (2015). Total quality management. Pearson Education.

Deming, W. E. (1986). Out of the crisis. MIT Press.

Garnett, N., & McGregor, S. (2018). Implementing TQM in IT organizations. International Journal of Information Management, 38, 184-193.

Kumar, S., & Sharma, R. (2017). Data-driven quality improvements in IT services. Journal of Business Analytics, 2(1), 45-59.

Pereira, V., & Lebre, F. (2012). Failures of mergers and acquisitions: A case study analysis. Journal of Business Research, 65(8), 1014-1020.

Watson, S. (2020). Cultural challenges in corporate mergers. Harvard Business Review.

Stevenson, W. J. (2018). Operations management. McGraw-Hill Education.

Westphal, J. D., & Zajac, E. J. (1994). Substance and symbolism in legitimacy contests. Administrative Science Quarterly, 39(3), 367-393.

Zairi, M. (1997). Managing total quality management in service organizations. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 14(8), 801-817.

Weber, C. (2012). Quality management in IT: Principles and practices. Information Technology & People, 25(3), 264-283.