The organizational culture saga ‐ from OD to TQM: a critical review of the literature. Part 2 ‐ applications

Abstract

Presents the second in a series of two articles tracing the saga of the organizational culture literature from the organization development model through to the recent interest in total quality management (TQM), forming a link between the three concepts. It is argued that, while TQM has separate origins from the culture movement, the two fields have recently converged with the idea that to achieve “excellence” and “quality”, it is necessary either to change or work with the culture of an organization. Following on from the first article which dealt with literature that was mainly of academic interest, such as concepts and methods of study, diagnosis and measurement, reviews the literature that heralds and then reflects the growing interest in utilitarianism. This literature is concerned with attempts to study, implement and measure culture change, and with the emerging relationship between culture and TQM.

Citation

Lewis, D. (1996), "The organizational culture saga ‐ from OD to TQM: a critical review of the literature. Part 2 ‐ applications", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 9-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437739610111196