Appraisal Systems and Total Quality Management in the Public Sector a Case Study of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (Nwsc)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between appraisal systems and total quality management, a case study of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), and how the management could change the minds of its employees and realise that appraisal systems and total quality management are necessary for learning and hard work within the organisation. Therefore, the objectives of the study were: to determine the impact of employee relations on total quality management in NWSC, to determine the impact of operating procedures on total quality management in NWSC and to regulate the effect of customer satisfaction on total quality management in NWSC. However, apart from appraisal systems and total quality management, there were other variables called intervening variables that affect both the dependent and independent variables. These include market orientation and organisational structure. All these therefore make up the conceptual framework.

The literature review of this study has discussions on how appraisal systems and total quality management coordinate to influence the organisational objectives. In this case, the findings in chapter one were enhanced so as to show the level at which appraisal systems and total quality management are used locally and internationally as well. For example, the literature shows how employee relations influence total quality management, where employees have an impact on the quality of the services provided by the organisation. This is through the relationship they have with their supervisors, and how they work together to reach their goals. The literature further mentions how operating procedures influence total quality management, where the works and activities carried out in an organisation has a great impact on the quality depicted by the services provided. An organisation should have the necessary operating procedures carried out daily as routine. These procedures should have unique features that amount to quality services provide to the customers. Customer satisfaction influences total quality management where the customers want customer oriented services. This assists the organisation in knowing its priority in providing the necessary quality services for prompt customer satisfaction. The intervening variables which influence both the dependent and independent variable were organisational culture and market orientation. The organisational culture refers to the environmental values of the organisation and how the organisation carries out its activities so as to amalgamate appraisal systems used and the total quality management acquired in the long run. The market orientation as shown in the literature can influence both the appraisal systems and the total quality management through marketable resolutions on how the customers like their services to be delivered.

This study aimed at collecting both qualitative and quantitative data through the use of primary sources (questionnaires) and secondary sources like text books, the internet, online journals and e-books as well. In addition to these sources, a sample of 34 respondents was selected. Respondents comprised of male and female, all employees in NWSC.

The findings therefore show that appraisal systems and total quality management are positively related, which aids NWSC in its successful ventures as an organisation. With the 34 respondents used, it was found that employee relations and total quality management have a correlation value of 0.217 which signified a positive relationship, operating procedures and total quality management have a correlation value of 0.059 signifying a positive relationship and customer satisfaction and total quality management have a correlation value of 0.042 also showing a positive relationship.

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