Trendy versus effective quality strategies

Abstract

Five stages of quality culture can be identified: dormant, awakening, groping, action and maturity. Most companies being in the groping stage rely on “the flavor of the month”. Since early in the 1980s we can see a number of trendy quality strategies. Just applying what is trendy for the moment is not going to generate good results. Instead, it is necessary to choose effective quality strategies. These strategies are hands‐on leadership from the top of the organization, massive training aiming at cultural change and new knowledge, market orientation including customer focus and competitor studies, program for quality improvements. These four strategies include many activities, which have to be integrated into a strategic quality plan leading to a culture of total quality characterized by customer focus, process orientation, participation and empowerment, continuous improvement. The plan contains four components: commitment of top management, cultural change, improvements, systematic approach.