A road less travelled: Beyond managerialist, critical and processual approaches to total quality management (original) (raw)
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TQM: an act of balance between contradictions
The TQM Magazine, 2007
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discussion of organisation and management by uncovering some embedded contradictions in total quality management (TQM). Design/methodology/approach -Based on discussions of leadership, TQM and the demands of modern working life, three examples of embedded contradictions that organisations can be confronted with have been discussed: collectivism versus individualism, manipulation versus empowerment and standardization versus innovative learning. Findings -One conclusion from this paper is that organisations, in a matter of complex navigation, need to find balance between these contradictions, something that can be a significant problem for many leaders and often seems to be handled in an instrumental manner. Originality/value -Although these contradictions are a growing concern in TQM research, they are seldom discussed in management literature, and therefore need to be addressed.
Abstract Objective: The objective of this review is to spotlight, based on contextual fit, the essence of the Total Quality Management (TQM) concept, advance the context-specific tools for its adoption, and suggest Critical Success Factors (CSFs) researchers and management practitioners should consider when considering any TQM initiative. Method/ Analysis: The traditional narrative review design was used. Based on the authors’ extensive readings, a number of TQM tools and CSFs reflective of Lee’s conception of the paradigmatic shifts in management practice were identified from the extant literature. A synthesis of a selected set of TQM tools and CSFs form the paper’s argument. Findings: The results show that when conceptualised to reflect the appropriate management context (mechanical, biological, or social), TQM can impact organisational outcomes based on intervention in six areas. Five management tools and a set of three foundational CSFs form the operational grid for a typical TQM programme. Novelty: Against the backcloth of the five revolutions in management, this paper presents a set of five management tools that could be used across industry groups in implementing TQM programmes based on the pedestal of three foundational CSFs.
Total Quality Management, 2010
This paper offers a defence of total quality management (TQM) initiatives as an integral part of business strategy for maintaining competitive advantage. It takes issue with one argument against it: that there exist ambiguity and contradiction in using 'process control' to exert control over the workforce to bring about the desired outcomes of TQM, and therefore it might be seen as a follow-up to scientific management. The paper adopts a qualitative approach in the form of three case studies. Data from 47 managers representing a variety of managerial levels indicate that the increased control over the workforce is indirect through the increased control over the work process, and that TQM initiatives can be used as the vehicle for achieving what most of the managers search for: higher organisational performance through more effective use of the capabilities and inclinations of their workforce. However, the study further highlights the danger that the promised TQM benefits could be vulnerable to management bias towards control, leading to its failure in the long term.
Objective: The objective of this review is to spotlight, based on contextual fit, the essence of the Total Quality Management (TQM) concept, advance the context-specific tools for its adoption, and suggest Critical Success Factors (CSFs) researchers and management practitioners should consider when considering any TQM initiative. Method/ Analysis: The traditional narrative review design was used. Based on the authors' extensive readings, a number of TQM tools and CSFs reflective of Lee's conception of the paradigmatic shifts in management practice were identified from the extant literature. A synthesis of a selected set of TQM tools and CSFs form the paper's argument. Findings: The results show that when conceptualised to reflect the appropriate management context (mechanical, biological , or social), TQM can impact organisational outcomes based on intervention in six areas. Five management tools and a set of three foundational CSFs form the operational grid for a typical TQM programme. Novelty: Against the backcloth of the five revolutions in management, this paper presents a set of five management tools that could be used across industry groups in implementing TQM programmes based on the pedestal of three foundational CSFs.
The human side of introducing total quality management
International Journal of Manpower, 2003
The aim of this paper is to explore the reasons why businesses, having adopted total quality management (TQM), fail to sustain their reforms over time. In order to gain insights into the pressures that, despite good intentions, can make full implementation of TQM problematic, a case study approach is used. The research indicates that a lack of attention to the human element of change, especially inconsistent senior management support, a lack of involvement of supervisors and middle managers in planning for change, and lack of attention to groups of staff affected negatively by the changes, explain why businesses may face difficulty sustaining reform programs.
Administrative Sciences
There is a vast literature on Total Quality Management (TQM), one of the most influential management concepts introduced during the twentieth century. In the TQM literature, there are multiple conflicting views on TQM’s historical popularity trajectory. In the past, commentators have debated whether TQM represents a lasting trend, or instead should be considered a more short-lived management fad or fashion. Since the 1990s, skeptics have speculated about the imminent fall, death, and burial of TQM, and even delivered eulogies. However, others claim that the level of interest has picked back up and that TQM is alive and well. Therefore, this paper attempts to synthesize and reconcile these differing views on the long-term trajectory of TQM and provide an updated picture and status report, taking into account the latest findings and developments in research and practice. The evidence reviewed in this paper suggests that, even though TQM has become much less noticeable in public manage...