Final answer:
The TQM principle that always assumes room for improvement is continuous improvement, which emphasizes ongoing, incremental enhancements in quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of Total Quality Management (TQM) that assumes there will always be room for improvement, no matter how well an organization is doing, is C. continuous improvement. Continuous improvement, also known as Kaizen, is the philosophy that an organization should be continually seeking ways to increase the quality of its products, services, and processes. It emphasizes that there is always potential for enhancements and therefore, encourages constant, incremental improvements.
Quality assurance refers to the overall process of making sure quality standards are met, while quality function development (QFD) is an approach used to guide the design of products or services based on customer requirements. Employee empowerment is giving employees the responsibility, resources, and authority to make decisions that affect their work, which is a component of TQM but not the principle that specifically embodies the idea of continuous progress.