<p>This bibliometric review systematically analyzes 378 scholarly publications from 1989 to 2024 on the evolution and impact of total quality management (TQM) in the service sector. This study utilizes a robust bibliometric dataset extracted from academic databases, including the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, to trace the trajectory of TQM practices and their adaptation across various service industries, such as healthcare, education, finance, and hospitality. The analysis employs bibliometric tools and methods, including co-citation and co-word analyses, to identify seminal research works, influential authors, and emerging trends in TQM applications in service industries. This review also examines the geographical distribution of TQM research, highlights contributions from diverse economic contexts, and explores regional differences in TQM implementation strategies. The key themes identified include the integration of technology into TQM practices, customer-focused strategies for service improvement, and alignment of TQM with sustainability goals. The findings underscore the increasing relevance of TQM in enhancing service quality and operational efficiency while addressing customer satisfaction and competitive advantage. This study provides a historical overview, as well as sheds light on the dynamic and evolving nature of TQM in the service sector, mainly to offer scholars and practitioners valuable insights into future research directions and practical implementation. This study also offers insight into potential gaps in the current research and suggests areas for further investigation to foster continuous improvement and innovation in service quality management.</p>