Title:
QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: STRATEGIES FOR ENSURING PRODUCT OR SERVICE QUALITY AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT: (AN APPLIED STUDY OF EMPLOYEE OPINIONS AT AL-MUSTAQBAL UNIVERSITY)

Authors:
Muayad Hassan Ali, Muslim Ahmed Abdul Hamza Hussein, Ahmed Zamel Abdul Hussein and Ali Muwaffaq Abbas, Iraq

Abstract:
This research aims to study the role of quality management and continuous improvement in enhancing the quality of educational services, through a field application on a sample of employees at Al-Mustaqbal University. The research started from a main problem: the weak quality level of educational outputs and the need to adopt effective strategies in quality management and continuous improvement to keep pace with the requirements of the competitive environment. The research adopted the descriptive analytical method. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of (30) employees, including faculty members and administrative staff. Data were analyzed using statistical methods such as arithmetic mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficient, simple linear regression analysis, in addition to reliability testing using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. The results showed that the level of continuous improvement application in the university was medium (3.10). The results also showed that the quality level of educational services was medium (3.33). A strong positive correlation (0.718) was found between continuous improvement and the quality of educational services. Moreover, continuous improvement had a significant impact on service quality, explaining (51.5%) of the variance in educational service quality. The results also revealed weaknesses in the checking and correction stages of the continuous improvement cycle, indicating incomplete implementation of the Deming cycle (PDCA). Accordingly, the research recommended strengthening the application of quality management and continuous improvement concepts, providing training programs, establishing specialized quality units, and activating continuous monitoring and evaluation systems. The research concludes that continuous improvement represents an effective strategic tool for improving the quality of educational services, and that adopting integrated scientific methodologies in quality management significantly contributes to achieving institutional excellence in higher education.