The service industry is a rapidly changingindustryand this dynamic culture offers a challenge for the service companies to lead or to actually survive in this competitive environment. Astheeducation industry is a part of the overall service industry, this raises the need for a solid base to be developed to reach for high quality service in the education industry. Though, adoption of TQM in the higher educational institutions is of common practice in the Western world, however, the history of TQM adoption in the Malaysian higher educational institutions is not verylong. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing the level of TQM practices in the Malaysian higher learning institutions based on the teacher’s perceptions. In doing so, this study was conducted in both types of Malaysian higher educational institutions (public and private). Total 300 questionnaires were distributed randomly, out of which 206 were returned. After collecting the data, statistical tests were performed using SPSS and Amos. This study has got satisfactory results. Results also show identical results with the previous studies. However, this study has pointed out that thereisstill room for improvement that affecting the level of TQM practices in the Malaysian educational institutions. Finally, future directions are provided at the end of the paper.
KeywordsTQMHigher Learning InstitutionMalaysiaQuality of Life
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