Eureka! Institutional Repository

Higher education relies on and promotes research, teaching and social contribution. The aim of this paper is to study whether Greek higher education institutions have adopted total quality management strategies and actions and have incorporated assessment procedures into their operation. As a means to that end, a survey was carried out which included the criteria of total quality management, in the form of a questionnaire, filled in by students, as well as by administrative and educational staff of tertiary education. The main focus of this research has been to examine whether quality in university management and utilization of evaluation procedures of the educational work as well as of the services provided by the administration are ensured. The research highlights the fact that although all parties involved in higher education aim at applying best given practices, Greek universities exhibit bureaucratic angulations and have systematically failed to implement a strategic plan aimed at quality improvement and quality culture consolidation. It is proposed that the Total quality management model and its subsequent implementation in the administration and operation of Greek universities constitutes a necessary and effective solution to address any stagnatory incongruities, thus creating a competitive and high level educational environment that meets present day challenges.