TQM: an act of balance between contradictions
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Citation
Harnesk, R. and Abrahamsson, L. (2007), "TQM: an act of balance between contradictions", The TQM Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 6, pp. 531-540. https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780710828395
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited