A THEORY OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT UNDERLYING THE DEMING MANAGEMENT METHOD

TLDR

The Deming management method, with its 14 prescriptive points, has influenced industry and management practice, yet its theoretical foundations remain unarticulated and largely absent from formal management theory. The study proposes and articulates a theory of quality management to explain the effects of adopting the Deming management method. The theory is constructed through a conceptual synthesis of Deming's writings and related literature on the Deming management method.

Abstract

In its current form, the Deming management method contains a prescriptive set of 14 points that serve as guidelines for appropriate organizational behavior and practice regarding quality management. Despite the apparent effect of these 14 points on both the industrial world and the practice of management theory around the world, there is little evidence of the role of the Deming management method in the formalization and advancement of management theory. Although its impact on management practice is clear, neither its theoretical contribution nor its theoretical base has yet to be articulated. Yes, there is a theory of quality management underlying the Deming management method, but at present, this theory is presented in the prescriptive form of these 14 points. We propose and articulate a theory of quality management to describe and explain the effects of adopting the Deming management method. This theory is based on the conceptual synthesis of Deming's writings, literature on the Deming management metho...