APPLICATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN STUDENT MANAGEMENT OF CHINESE HIGHER VOCATIONAL COLLEGES: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Total Quality Management (TQM), recognized as a pivotal strategy for enhancing higher education quality (Fethia Yahiaoui & Khalil Chergui, 2022), has been progressively adopted in educational contexts since its emergence in the United States during the mid-1980s. While widely implemented in developed countries 'higher education institutions, TQM's application in developing nations remains underexplored (Md Mashiur Rahman & Salma Nasrin, 2024), particularly regarding student management practices in China's Higher Vocational Colleges (HVCs). Existing research predominantly focuses on undergraduate institutions or teaching quality management, with limited studies addressing TQM implementation pathways and evaluation systems in vocational education. This paper systematically examines TQM's conceptual framework, theoretical evolution, core dimensions, and international and Chinese research advancements. It identifies four operational dimensions—academic guidance, disciplinary management, career services and employability, and student life/extracurricular activities—for developing evaluation metrics. The study further analyzes how contextual factors including policy frameworks, cultural norms, resource availability, and data infrastructure influence implementation effectiveness. Based on these findings, practical recommendations are proposed for institutional development, capacity building, technological support, and cultural shaping. The paper also addresses current research gaps and outlines future directions. Ultimately, this research provides theoretical and practical references for advancing TQM implementation in student management at China's vocational colleges.