Classical approach to contemporary TQM: An integrated conceptual TQM model as perceived in Tamil classical literature

Contemporary TQM models seem to be oriented towards tools/practitioner's perception/international standards with an objective of achieving materialistic results. However, the moral and ethical means of reaching the goals and objectives appear to have been missed out in the models. The present work makes an attempt to integrate the human values, as enshrined in Tamil classical literature, and the contemporary quality management techniques, and propose a conceptual integrated TQM model that would be universal. It is shown that the contemporary and classical TQM models are complementary and supplementary but not contradictory to each other. The classical TQM model is not a reinvention of the wheel, but a reinforcement of it, so as to take on the demands of today.