Cultural and structural constraints on total quality management implementation

We present a model delineating the influence of national culture and organizational culture/structure on the eff ectiveness of total quality management (TQM) implementation. Researchers can use this model to examine further connections between contextual variables and TQM success. Practitioners can identify the expected success of TQM programmes in their company, and use the four-step proactive approach to diagnose and change the company's culture and structure.