TQM as an arbitrary sign for play: Discourse and transformation

This paper opens up quality management discourse. A historical review trace s quality control discourse before TQM appeared. It is argued that rather t han 'Japanization', the challenge, paradoxically, is the westernization of 'foreign' / Japanese management technologies. To explore a conceptual possi bility, the naming of TQM is scrutinized. When TQM is revealed as an arbitr ary linguistic sign (de Saussure 1959), the limit of representation based o n signified-signifier dichotomy becomes apparent. An arbitrary sign makes p laying with substitutes possible (Derrida 1978). Specifically, de Saussure' s sign-signified-signifier trichotomy allows three substitutions. In so doi ng, a supplementary understanding of TQM is offered. The potential for reco nsidering the emergence and transformation of other arbitrary signs (e.g. B PR and HRM) in the management/organization discourse makes this seemingly p erverse deconstruction of TQM worthwhile.