ATTAINING FLEXIBLE STABILITY BY INTEGRATING TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND SOCIOTECHNICAL SYSTEMS-THEORY

Total Quality Management (TQM) and Socio-technical Systems Theory (STS ) are two widely recognized and used work design strategies. While bot h approaches advocate some degree of technical proficiency and employe e involvement, little research exists that has investigated potential synergies to be gained from combining central elements of the two. Thi s paper directly addresses how these two approaches can be combined to simultaneously achieve organizational stability and flexibility. Cont radictory as well as complementary features of TQM and STS are explore d. A theoretical model addressing the potential for synergistic integr ation 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 organizat ional investments in TQM and STS. Ultimately, an integrated approach m ay be established that promises to simultaneously foster efficiency, s tability, innovation, flexibility, psychological ownership, quality of worklife, continuous and discontinuous learning, and high organizatio nal performance and customer satisfaction.