Final answer:
Quality management as a specialized function within the firm is not an element of TQM, as TQM requires a collective approach to quality improvement across the entire organization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The TQM (Total Quality Management) is an integrative philosophy of management for continuously improving the quality of products and processes. Within its framework, the following elements are typically included:
- Continuous improvement
- Competitive benchmarking
- Employee empowerment
- Team approach
However, quality management being a specialized function within the firm is not an element of TQM. In contrast to traditional management practices, TQM necessitates that everyone in the organization is involved in quality improvement and management, rather than having it as a separate department or function.