Obstacles of TQM Implementation in Saudi Universities: An Empirical Study

This study aims to identify the obstacles to the application of total quality management at the Saudi University from the faculty members' point of view and to identify the significance of statistical differences in the obstacles to the application of total quality management in Saudi universities from the viewpoint of faculty members according to the variables of gender, academic rank, and college. To achieve the study objectives, the researcher used the descriptive design and quantitative approach, depending on the questionnaire as the main instrument for collecting study data. The study was applied to a sample consisting of (350) faculty members at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, who were selected randomly, the number of questionnaires valid for analysis (277) questionnaires. Among the most prominent results of this study showed that top management obstacles, human resources obstacles, student’s obstacles, financial resources, educational technology obstacles, community service obstacles, obstacles to scientific research, organizational culture obstacles, and educational curriculum obstacles are affecting on implementation of TQM at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University from point of view faculty members. The results showed the top management obstacles came in the first rank among the obstacles that affect TQM implementation, followed by student’s obstacles, while financial resources obstacles and human resources obstacles come in the last obstacles affect TQM implementation at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University from point of view faculty members. Also, the results showed there are no significant statistical differences in the obstacles to the application of total quality management according to the variables of gender, academic rank, and college.   Received: 4 March 2021 / Accepted: 6 May 2021 / Published: 8 July 2021