Bachelor Thesis from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,0 (UK - Note: 74(A)), University of Cambridge (Ashcroft Business School), language: English, abstract: The study focuses on Total Quality Management. It begins with a short overview of the development of quality concepts within the last 50 years. It deals in detail with the fundamental elements of TQM. The particular principles are arranged in a way, which illustrates the mutual supportive interrelationships. After that, the European quality system is explained. It is primarily focused on the European Quality Award and its belonging assessment criteria. Within this framework, the Total Quality implementation is demonstrated by the example of a recent award winner. It is examined in which way and to what extend the theoretical principles of TQM have been applied in order to meet the European guidelines. With reference to the theory, the European evaluation system as well as the company specific application is critically analysed.