- Low commitment from the management: management should be committed enough to implement TQM. It should provide the necessary resources and support different departments in order to ensure a successful implementation of TQM.
- Culture: it consists of the unwillingness of the management and the employees to change present management culture and to use different methods. This blocks the implementation of TQM. Culture is different from one country to another. Consequently, TQM is implemented successfully in Japan because Japanese believe in TQM philosophy and are ready to implement it.
- Absence of clear vision: before implementing TQM, managers should set a clear vision, mission, and goals. Moreover, management should set a clear communication strategy in order to involve all employees.
- Lack of data analysis: one of the barriers to a successful implementation of TQM is lack of data analysis. In this regard, TQM uses different data analysis and presentations like control and flow charts. Companies using TQM have to be able to use data properly for decision-making.
- Absence or lack of teamwork teamwork is very important for a successful implementation of total quality management. In this sense, many tasks require the contribution of different team members.
- Only short-term goals: the absence of long-term goals and focusing only on short-term objectives constitutes a barrier to a successful implementation of TQM.
- Lack of resources: the presence of sufficient resources to implement TQM is essential to its success.
- Absence or lack of training: continuous training and education is important as well.
- Inability to understand customer needs: the company has to analyse and understand customer needs and expectations and come up with solutions.
- Lack of respect and trust: building trust among employees and between managers and employees is essential to guarantee a successful implementation of TQM.
- Absence of shared values: the absence of shared values and principles between employees and management represent a barrier for a successful TQM program.
- No motivation and reward plans: the lack of reward plans and motivation for achievements are barriers to a successful implementation of TQM.
