This book is the first to seriously consider quality issues in smaller firms, based upon well-conducted research and careful theorizing. Subjects covered include: * the relevance of formal quality standards such as BS 5750 to small firms * definitions and implementations of 'quality' in a business context, from formal standards to Total Quality Management * interviews with a selected sample of over 150 owner-managers * detailed case studies of small firms * analysis of self-generated quality strategies * the variety of formal methods of quality control.