Future developments in total quality management – what can we learn from the past?

Outlines the early beginnings of the total quality movement and summarizes its history up to the present day. Relates total quality issues to the relevant British Standards and examines likely future total quality trends. Considers “quality” as a work philosophy from ancient times, through the craft guilds of the Middle Ages, to the present day. Suggests that the driving force for quality is competition. Proposes a four‐part model of TQM drawn from a historical perspective.