Total quality management applied to New Jersey shore clean up

Today, the New Jersey shore ranks as one of the cleanest in the country but this has not always been the case. Problems of water pollution which plagued many regions were especially significant in the northeastern United States. In 1989 the shore problem-replete with economic, ecological, and political dimensions-was high on the agenda of public awareness and concern. How this problem was addressed in New Jersey is the subject of this article. As will be explained in some detail, the 'quality approach'-sometimes referred to as Total Quality Management or continuous quality improvement-was the methodology employed. As is typical to this approach, a systematic process of problem identification and problem solving was employed, involving collaboration and teamwork among various corporate and governmental agencies and entities. In addition to providing a discussion of the particulars of the New Jersey shore clean-up, this article also provides an introduction to the quality approach that can be generalized to a wide range of situations.