1.0 Title
The proposed title for the study is “Investigation of Application of Total Quality Management in Milling Company.” This paper will present background information and overview about total quality management (TQM) and the milling industry in Zimbabwe. In addition, this proposal will also present different methods, approaches and instruments to be used in order to implement the study successfully.
2.0 Background of the Study
It has now been two decades since the idea of total quality management (TQM) was set forth by William Edwards Deming, Joseph Juran and Kaoru Ishikawa achieved its acceptance in the US management community. Deming’s ideas were first adopted by the Japanese in effort to revive the economy after Japan’s defeat in World War II.
Today, application of TQM is being applied in almost all types of organization. This is because, the quality of the final product is important in order to maintain long term relationship of the company towards its customer. However, this is not easy to achieve, because it is vital to incorporate good practice in each and every part of the entire process. Thus, TQM will be helpful in order to ensure that the desired standard is achieve in each process, which later on will help to save time and money regarding the issue of errors.
3.0 Objectives
The main aim of the study is to explore and investigate the application of TQM in a small milling company in Zimbabwe. In line with this, the following are the specific objectives of the study:
· To present the different procedures and issues related to TQM;
· To list the different advantages of TQM;
· To analyze the current quality management process in the milling industry in Zimbabwe; and
· To present the appropriateness of TQM in milling company in Zimbabwe.
1.0 Methodology
The research study to be used in the proposed study will be descriptive method. According to Creswell (1994) it intends to present facts about the nature and status of a situation as it exists at the time of the study. In addition, it also concerns with the relationships and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt or trends that are developing (Best 1970). Therefore, it can be helpful in order to describe the current conditions and situations based on the impressions and perceptions of the respondents of the study (Creswell 1994). In addition, this study will examine and explore the problems and questions by taking cross section of it one time – using cross-sectional study (Rubin & Babbie, 2009).
4.1 Data Collection
Surveys will be implemented in the study. Surveys are the most common form of research method for collection of primary data (Commonwealth of Learning, 2000). One of its purpose is to describe, e.g., to count the frequency of some event or to assess the distribution of some variables such as proportion of the population of different age groups, sex, religion, castes and languages, knowledge, attitude and adaption of practices about particular issues, and other information of similar nature about the population (Commonwealth of Learning, 2000). Survey questionnaire and interview, and document analysis will be used in order to gather primary data.
4.2 Sample Frame
The target sample is 25 managers of different small milling companies in Zimbabwe. They will be randomly selected to prevent personal bias from the research.
4.3 Data Analysis
The data results of the study will be analyzed by determining their corresponding frequency, percentage and weighted mean. The following statistical formulas will be used:
1. Percentage – to determine the magnitude of the responses to the questionnaire.
n
% = -------- x 100 ; n – number of responses
N N – total number of respondents
2. Weighted Mean
f1x1 + f2x2 + f3x3 + f4x4 + f5x5
x = ---------------------------------------------;
xt
where: f – weight given to each response
x – number of responses
xt – total number of responses
Time Plan
TASK
Month
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
Select topic
Undertake preliminary literature search
-
Define research questions
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Write-up aims and objectives
Select appropriate methodology and locate sources of information. Confirm access.
Write-up Dissertation Plan
Undertake and write-up draft critical literature review.
Secondary and Primary Data Detailed
-
Sources
-
Consulted
Research Findings:
-
Analyzed
-
Evaluated
-
Written-up
Discussion:
-
Research findings evaluated and discussed in relation to the literature review
Methodology written-up
(including limitations and constraints)
Main body of the report written-up and checked for logical structure
-
Conclusions drawn
-
Recommendations made
Introduction and Executive Summary written-up
Final format and indexing
References
Best, J. W. (1970). Research in education. 2nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, Inc.
Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2003). Research methods in education. Routledge.
Commonwealth of Learning. (2000). Manual for educational media researchers: Knowing your audience. Vancouver, Canada. Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA).
Creswell, J.W. (1994). Research design: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2009). Essential research methods for social work. Cengage Learning.
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