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Attaining Flexible Stability by Integrating Total Quality Management and Socio-Technical Systems Theory

Author

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  • Charles C. Manz

    (Department of Management, College of Business, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-4006)

  • Greg L. Stewart

    (Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University, 301 21st Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37203)

Abstract

Total Quality Management (TQM) and Socio-technical Systems Theory (STS) are two widely recognized and used work design strategies. While both approaches advocate some degree of technical proficiency and employee involvement, little research exists that has investigated potential synergies to be gained from combining central elements of the two. This paper directly addresses how these two approaches can be combined to simultaneously achieve organizational stability and flexibility. Contradictory as well as complementary features of TQM and STS are explored. A theoretical model addressing the potential for synergistic integration of TQM and STS is developed. Research propositions derived from this model are also provided to guide future research. Research based on these propositions can be instrumental in guiding ongoing organizational investments in TQM and STS. Ultimately, an integrated approach may be established that promises to simultaneously foster efficiency, stability, innovation, flexibility, psychological ownership, quality of worklife, continuous and discontinuous learning, and high organizational performance and customer satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles C. Manz & Greg L. Stewart, 1997. "Attaining Flexible Stability by Integrating Total Quality Management and Socio-Technical Systems Theory," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 8(1), pages 59-70, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:8:y:1997:i:1:p:59-70
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.8.1.59
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zengjian Huang & Amna Shahzadi & Yaser Daanial Khan, 2022. "Unfolding the Impact of Quality 4.0 Practices on Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy Practices: A Hybrid SEM-ANN Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Cristiano Busco & Ariela Caglio & Robert Scapens, 2015. "Management and accounting innovations: reflecting on what they are and why they are adopted," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 19(3), pages 495-524, August.
    3. Younès El Manzani & Mohamed Larbi Sidmou & Jean-Jack Cegarra, 2018. "Does IS0 9001 quality management system support product innovation? An analysis from the sociotechnical systems theory," Post-Print hal-03080217, HAL.
    4. Kashif Ali & Satirenjit Kaur Johl & Amgad Muneer & Ayed Alwadain & Rao Faizan Ali, 2022. "Soft and Hard Total Quality Management Practices Promote Industry 4.0 Readiness: A SEM-Neural Network Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-23, September.
    5. Mar Fuentes-Fuentes, M. & Albacete-Sáez, Carlos A. & Lloréns-Montes, F. Javier, 2004. "The impact of environmental characteristics on TQM principles and organizational performance," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 425-442, December.
    6. Mincong Tang & Yinan Qi & Min Zhang, 2017. "Impact of Product Modularity on Mass Customization Capability: An Exploratory Study of Contextual Factors," International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making (IJITDM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(04), pages 939-959, July.
    7. Shou, Yongyi & Zhao, Xinyu & Dai, Jing & Xu, Dong, 2021. "Matching traceability and supply chain coordination: Achieving operational innovation for superior performance," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    8. Brice Corgnet, 2007. "A Model for Team Managers with Self-serving Workers," Faculty Working Papers 08/07, School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Navarra.
    9. Liu, Junjun & Hu, Houbao & Tong, Xun & Zhu, Qinghua, 2020. "Behavioral and technical perspectives of green supply chain management practices: Empirical evidence from an emerging market," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    10. Moorhead, Gregory & Neck, Christopher P. & West, Mindy S., 1998. "The Tendency toward Defective Decision Making within Self-Managing Teams: The Relevance of Groupthink for the 21st Century," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 73(2-3), pages 327-351, February.
    11. Makarius, Erin E. & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Fox, Joseph D. & Fox, Alexa K., 2020. "Rising with the machines: A sociotechnical framework for bringing artificial intelligence into the organization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 262-273.
    12. Chaeyoung Lim & Noha Mostafa & Jaehyun Park, 2017. "Digital Omotenashi: Toward a Smart Tourism Design Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-20, November.
    13. Marcos Singer & Patricio Donoso, 2005. "Un Caso De Empoderamiento En La Industria Quimica," Abante, Escuela de Administracion. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile., vol. 8(1), pages 3-24.

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