The impacts of total quality management practices on blue collared workers in Turkey: A case study in Eskişehir

Ill ABSTRACT An extensive implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) at the local and global level in the last two decades, have brought forth both "hard' and "soff versions, which could either focus on the systematic measurement and control of the work process or on training, participation and cultural change. Prevailing contentions in the mainstream literature are that implementations of TQM practices ultimately have a positive impact upon workers' job satisfaction by reducing the hierarchy in the organizations and introducing soft elements like training, commitment, empowerment and participation. The aim of this thesis is thus to assess whether TQM reduces the hierarchy in organizations or increases the job satisfaction of workers through commitment, empowerment and participation. This study draws upon a fieldwork conducted in a formal sector factory located in Eskişehir. The findings of the research reveal that applications of TQM techniques in general fail to reduce the hierarchy in the organization. TQM techniques applied in this organization are highly integrated with the autocratic local culture that reproduces itself in a wide range of work practices. Findings also confirm that due to the reproduction of the autocratic culture in the organization, TQM fails to overcome so called distinction of "us and them" between managers and workers and thus is not able to attain worker participation in a true manner. This study reveals that TQM has little effect upon workers' satisfaction on a number of work related issues as proponents of TQM assert in the literature.