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Purpose: Primary education (PE) forms the foundation of high-quality education systems, but it is often underestimated. This paper aims to develop and empirically validate a measurement instrument to study the current stage of total quality management (TQM) implementation in PE. Design/methodology/approach: This study developed a seven-dimensional and a 37-item instrument administered to education professionals at public PE institutions in Greece to determine the current stage of TQM implementation at their institution; 2,088 responses were received in total. Principal component analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were adopted to test the research instrument. Findings: The findings supported the validity and reliability of the instrument and demonstrated that the proposed measures represent actual dimensions that can be used to explore the implementation of TQM in PE. Results also showed that the respondents rated highly the positive impact that TQM can have on their schools, although nonhuman resources have been found inadequate and problematic. Practical implications: The field of TQM in PE lacks empirical evidence; this paper provides deep insight into the elements that demonstrate the perception and status of TQM implementation and can support quality implementation plans. Originality/value: This study adds value to the TQM literature by developing an instrument for use in PE educational institutions and validating it in a real environment. Practitioners and researchers are thus supplied with the means to facilitate TQM practices, identify weaknesses and opportunities and contribute to social empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the application of TQM in primary education (PE) by exploring teachers' views and, more specifically, by examining the impact of their demographic data on their attitude towards TQM. A study was conducted among teachers in Greek public primary schools with the aim being to investigate their views on seven TQM parameters. The study used a structured questionnaire that was positively evaluated for validity and reliability. In total, 2088 completed questionnaires were collected, and non-parametric tests were employed. The results reveal statistically significant differences among groups of respondents based on gender, job–position, educational level, age, and years of experience in PE, as well as geographical location of the school. The study provides real-time empirical evidence of TQM in PE, enriching the existing literature, which lacks empirical and validated data from the PE level. The data revealed by the study indicate differences in perception of the TQM concept and its application among the participants, and their response should be further analysed to explore the reasons that generate them and, thus, facilitate the initiation of TQM practices within a PE school environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study provides insights on the application of critical soft TQM practices in primary and secondary education and their impact on teachers' job satisfaction (TJS). Design/methodology/approach: Based on a review of the literature related to TQM application in primary and secondary education, six soft TQM elements were traced as critical to the success of TQM implementation in the school environment: participation/involvement in continuous improvement, teamwork, empowerment, appraisal systems/recognition and reward for quality, training and development (T&D) and leadership (vision/commitment to quality culture). Moreover, their relationship to JS was theoretically founded and empirically tested. An online questionnaire was used as the research instrument. The participants were 200 primary and secondary public school teachers working in urban, semi urban and rural regions of Greece. After assessing the validity and reliability of the measurement scales, multiple regression analysis was applied to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings: The research findings revealed that leadership and empowerment are the most highly implemented TQM practices in primary and secondary education. Moreover, participation/involvement, appraisal systems/recognition and rewards and leadership were the TQM elements that had a positive association with TJS. Practical implications: The outcomes of the study are of help to school principals and policy-makers in order to design and implement TQM policies that advance the quality of teaching and the effectiveness of processes in the primary and secondary education system, as well as to satisfy and motivate teachers for continuous improvement. Originality/value: This was, to the best of our knowledge, the first study that has explored the impact of soft TQM elements on TJS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]