The degree to which quality initiatives, including quality standards, have been adopted in Irish manufacturing and service organizations is investigated, specifically: 1. award and impact of quality certification, 2. levels of employee feedback, 3. customer focus, 4. use of quality improvement techniques and methods, 5. employee involvement and rewards systems, 6. relations with suppliers, 7. adoption of a Total Quality approach, and 8. characteristics of Total Quality companies, according to sector, size and ownership. The introduction of quality improvements is occurring in the context of restructuring and at a time when employment is rising in many companies. Responsibility for the quality function is diffusing beyond the obvious personnel to encompass all staff in at least half the service organizations. Employee involvement is becoming an intrinsic part of the way organizations are functioning, primarily for the benefits to be accrued from employees' inputs to process improvement and design.