Final answer:
Correct Answer is A, B and D .Hierarchical decision-making is not a component of Total Quality Management (TQM) programs; TQM emphasizes employee involvement, continuous improvement, and a customer focus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Total Quality Management (TQM) programs rely on several operational components to enhance the quality of products and services within an organization. However, of the options provided, c) Hierarchical decision-making is not typically a characteristic of TQM programs. Instead, TQM emphasizes a collaborative approach where decisions are often made through employee involvement and teamwork, rather than a traditional top-down hierarchical structure.
TQM focuses on continuous improvement in all aspects of an organization's operations, encouraging everyone to contribute to the process of making improvements. Another core element is a customer focus, where the needs and feedback of customers are placed at the forefront to guide quality and performance goals.