Changing from Production to Quality: Application of the Situational Leadership Transtheoretical Change Models

Abstract

This article addresses the problem of how to diffuse responsibility for quality throughout the organization. Central to this challenge is the need to shift the employee mindset and behavior away from exclusive focus on production or service delivery toward a mindset that integrates concern and responsibility for quality. The authors suggest that two approaches in particular provide promising tools for managers attempting to diffuse a focus on quality throughout their organizations. The Transtheoretical Model of Change provides a model for understanding the stages that people go through when attempting change. The Situational Leadership Model provides a useful approach to leading this important organizational transformation. The authors apply the Situational Leadership Model to prescribe what actions leaders should perform when working to bring about a change in follower orientation from production to quality. They believe that the Situational Leadership Model is an appropriate choice of leadership models given the degree to which it fits the stages of change at the follower level of analysis described by the Transtheoretical Model of Change.