Is TQM imitable? At first glance, it would appear so, and there is an impressive apparatus in place to disseminate TQM to all U.S. organizations, including secondary schools and universities, health care institutions, financial services firms, law firms, CPA firms, nonprofits and government. This apparatus includes the TQM gurus, the business periodicals, consulting firms, best-selling books and videos, executive education programs, college courses, the Baldrige Award publicity, and most importantly, the word-of-mouth testimony of executives already committed to the philosophy. Many TQM firms ensure component quality by requiring suppliers to adopt TQM programs, and some have developed sophisticated supplier training and certification programs.