Title: Total quality management and cultural change: a model of organisational development

Authors: Cesar Camison

Addresses: Faculty of Laws, Economics and Sciences, Department of Enterprises Management, University Jaume I, Campus Riu Sec, 12080 Castellon, Spain

Abstract: The provision of a high quality service is increasingly being accepted as a critical factor for a successful business. The birth and consolidation of Total Quality Management (TQM) as a management focus have paralleled the progressive dissatisfaction with the previous managerial approaches, linked to some basic changes in technology, market and enterprise strategies. After studying these challenges, this paper offers a sequential model on the road to TQM, differentiating seven steps classifiable in three phases: the technical stage, the human stage and the strategical stage. A lasting organisational change towards TQM implies a change of the culture of the organisation; we analyse a system of values key to TQM programme, the available methods for the change, some essential supports in the process of introduction of TQM programme, and lastly, the conditions to assure the success of any initiative of this kind.

Keywords: quality; total quality management; cultural change; organisational development; competitiveness; benchmarking; empowerment; total commitment by management; customer satisfaction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1998.002668

International Journal of Technology Management, 1998 Vol.16 No.4/5/6, pp.479-493

Published online: 04 Jul 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article