ADOPTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE INNOVATION WITHIN ORGANIZATION — AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF TQM METAMORPHOSIS

Little research has been done on the adoption and implementation of administrative innovation and its diffusion within the organization. In our study we explore this in the context of Total Quality Management in a large, global company. The analysis is based on extensive historical data and in-depth interviews. Our findings highlight the role of internal change agents in the diffusion process within the firm. We also open up the dynamics of the adoption process and illustrate how the adopted administrative innovation is transformed during the adoption and implementation phases.