Which concept emphasizes the involvement of employees in quality improvement processes?

The concept that emphasizes the involvement of employees in quality improvement processes is Total Quality Management (TQM). TQM is a holistic management approach that seeks to improve the quality of products and services through ongoing refinements in response to continuous feedback. It prioritizes the active participation of every employee at all levels of the organization, recognizing that quality improvement is a collective effort. This involvement fosters a culture where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to both their own work and the overall improvement of processes, leading to enhanced service quality and customer satisfaction.

In contrast, standard operating procedures (SOPs) are specific guidelines intended to ensure consistency and compliance but do not inherently involve employee engagement in the quality improvement process itself. Quality audits are evaluations of adherence to established procedures and standards but primarily assess compliance rather than drive engagement in improvement initiatives. Statistical analysis provides data that can guide quality improvements but does not, by itself, facilitate employee involvement or ownership in the quality management process.