The organizational culture saga ‐ from OD to TQM: a critical review of the literature. Part 1 ‐ concepts and early trends

Abstract

The first in a series of two articles, traces the saga of the organizational culture literature from the organization development model through to the recent interest in total quality management, forming a link between the three concepts. The literature has, at various times ‐ and sometimes concurrently ‐ defined the concept of culture, prescribed methods of study and diagnosis, discussed the possibility of culture change and often prescribed change methods, recommended methods to evaluate the extent and success of change and, most recently, looked at the part culture and culture change play in achieving total quality through the medium of total quality management. With few exceptions, the notion of managerial control is not addressed. Argues that, while TQM had separate origins from the culture movement, the two fields have converged recently with the idea that to achieve “excellence” and “quality”, it is necessary either to change or work with the culture of an organization. Reviews the literature concerned with defining the concept of culture itself and recommended methods of study, diagnosis and measurement, themes that occur predominantly in the early literature.

Citation

Lewis, D. (1996), "The organizational culture saga ‐ from OD to TQM: a critical review of the literature. Part 1 ‐ concepts and early trends", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 12-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437739610105995