The Relationship between Total Quality Management and Knowledge Management from the View of Faculty Members in University of Isfahan and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran*

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Susan Bahrami, 1
Mohammad Yarmohammadian 2
Masood Ferdosi 3
Rezvan Ojaghi 4
Fahimeh Sadat Ezadi Varaki 5
Marzieh Golkar 6
1 Educational Management, Health Management and Economic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
3 Assistant Professor, Health Services Management, Health Management and Economic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Medical Library and Information Sciences, School of Management and Medical Information, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
5 Health Services Management, School of Management and Medical Information, Health Management and Economic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
6 Geographic, School of Management and Medical Information, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Human skills, knowledge and efficiency are important factors in the success of
organizations and community health centers which have a critical role in total quality
management (TQM) as a management system. Knowledge is necessary as a source for the
organizations survival. On the other hand, in order for implementation of knowledge
management, there is a need for a relatively long period, providing intellectual and cultural
contexts, educational skills and knowledge and technological centers. This study aimed to
determine the relationship between TQM and knowledge management from the perspective of
faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Methods: This was a descriptive-correlational study. The study subjects included the total of
faculty members of University of Isfahan (491 people) and Isfahan University of Medical
Sciences (594) during academic years 2009-2010 who were selected through proportionate
stratified random sampling (300). Data collection tools included a Baldrige questionnaire based
on the TQM model and knowledge management components based on Pastor standard
questionnaire. The content and face validity of questionnaires were confirmed and reliability
through Cronbach's alpha coefficient were obtained as 0.87 and 0.91, respectively.
Results: Mean of all the TQM criteria were higher than average in University of Isfahan except
leadership, strategic planning and human resource management. It was the same in Isfahan
University of Medical Sciences except criteria like focusing on customer, information analysis,
strategic planning and process management. All the components of knowledge management were
more than average level in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and except refining the
knowledge in University of Isfahan. Correlation coefficient between scores of TQM and knowledge
management components was significant (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, multiple regression showed that
the correlation between TQM and knowledge management was statistically significant.
Conclusion: TQM criteria can be effective in line with appropriate functioning of knowledge
management and its impact on organizational performance can also increase the efficiency of the
organization

Keywords

Introduction: Human skills
knowledge and efficiency are important factors in the success of organizations and community health centers which have a critical role in total quality management (TQM) as a management system. Knowledge is necessary as a source for the organizations
in order for implementation of knowledge management
there is a need for a relatively long period
providing intellectual and cultural contexts
educational skills and knowledge and technological centers. This study aimed to determine the relationship between TQM and knowledge management from the perspective of faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Iran. Methods: This was a descriptive-correlational study. The study subjects included the total of faculty members of University of Isfahan (491 people) and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (594) during academic years 2009-2010 who were select
respectively. Results: Mean of all the TQM criteria were higher than average in University of Isfahan except leadership
strategic planning and human resource management. It was the same in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences except criteria like focusing on customer
information analysis
strategic planning and process management. All the components of knowledge management were more than average level in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
and except refining the knowledge in University of Isfahan. Correlation coefficient between scores of TQM and knowledge management components was significant (P ≤ 0.05). In addition
multiple regression showed that the correlation between TQM and knowledge management was statistically significant. Conclusion: TQM criteria can be effective in line with appropriate functioning of knowledge management and its impact on organizationa
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Health Information Management
Volume 9, Issue 4
September and October 2012
Pages 558-566