First Application of Total Quality Management in Ottoman Empire: Ahi Organization

The aim of the study is to bring forth some historical facts, with supporting scientific evidence, regarding the first Quality System (Ahilik) which was developed and applied by the Ottoman Turks, hence contributing to the Total Quality Management (TQM) by setting a historical perspective. As was TQM, Ahi Order was adopted to create an organizational culture, to educate and train the employees via continuous training programs and to put in place a management system entirely focused on human relations. The quality was determined by the consumers and consumer rights were protected by the system. Ahi Organization, going beyond TQM system, had strict rules on professional ethics. Social behaviour was seen as an indivisible unit and consequently it was thought that any unethical behaviour in social life would reflect on the work place, thus ethics would control the social behaviour closely. Manufacturers and/or traders had to behave ethically in production, trade and even in their social lives. If a person was ousted by the organization, he could not sell his goods and make trade. Trust was much more important than money. Thus the social life of society was protected from unethical behaviour. There has been no other quality system utilized until now which has taken any precautionary measures for peaceful living in the society or provide guidelines on ethical behaviors in public. However, Ahi Order did not keep pace with the development of modern age, and unfortunately, it was forgotten.