Virtual learning environment based on advanced information technologies – a new approach toward human empowerment for total quality

Total Quality revolution of the last decade put the issue of personnel training as a mandatory commitment for companies, to assure human resources more flexibility and self-consciousness on the production problems. Training activities are quite often delegated to external consultants or to non-professional internal skilled personnel, which applies naive approach in teaching. The original ideas that inspired the ESPRIT project n.28974, named "Total Quality Management on-line", are here presented. The project, currently in process within a consortium of several 1(st) and 2(nd) tier automotive suppliers, addresses the problem of continuous education on Total Quality topics using the most advanced Information Technologies. The present paper sketches the main features of a virtual teaming environment which is proposed as a new approach to this aim.