History of TQM

General Douglas McArthur realised the need for radical change and was responsible for the re-generation of the Japanese economy. Key to this was the dismissal of the old management and their systems, replacing them with men capable of making the changes needed to develop their economy. As a result the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) was formed, one of their first actions was to invite a well-known American statistician Dr. W. Edwards Deming, to present his ideas to them. Deming addressed the top business leaders in Japan, including managers from Companies which are now household names, Sony, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Toyota. They introduced new management methods, TQM being a key one. This led to Japan being the world leader in quality and productivity.
Deming had made a highly significant contribution during the war in increasing America's industrial efficiency. After the war was won, although well received by engineers and scientists, top management did not respond to his ideas. Industry went back to the old established ways of trying to meet consumer market opportunities.