A THEORY OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT UNDERLYING THE DEMING MANAGEMENT METHOD

In its current form, the Deming management method contains a prescript ive set of 14 points that serve as guidelines organizational behavior and practice regarding quality management Despite the apparent effect of these 14 points on both the industrial world and the practice of ma nagement 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 cl ear, neither its theoretical contribution nor its theoretical base has yet to be articulated. Yes, there is a theory of quality management u nderlying 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 base d on the conceptual synthesis of Deming's writings, literature on the Deming management method, observations of practice. and, more specific ally, the results of a Delphi study involving a panel of experts on th e Deming management method. We trace the development of this method, p osition it within the context of theory, describe our theory formulati on process. propose and explain an underlying theory of quality manage ment. and offer implications for practice and further research.