Dissemination and adoption of quality management in China : Case studies of Shanghai manufacturing industries

Purpose – This paper aims to achieve a better understanding of the dissemination and adoption of quality management in China, in the context of theory on management trends and fashions, dissemination and adoption. Design/methodology/approach – Following a literature review, the research adopts a qualitative, multiple case‐study approach, based on the study of six Shanghai manufacturers. Findings – A dissemination and adoption model is presented, which contains nine observed dissemination and adoption factors. These factors and their relationships are identified, analysed and discussed. Research limitations/implications – The selection of case study companies was constrained by practical considerations of location and access. Further constraints of time and resource meant that only 14 interviews with managers from case‐study companies and three interviews with quality experts and consultants were conducted. Practical implications – The findings will be of interest to those involved in developing QM within China, or working with Chinese manufacturing partners. They suggest that Chinese businesses do not blindly adopt QM initiatives simply because they are the current trend or fashion – instead, companies make decisions based on several rational adoption factors. Originality/value – The research contributes to a richer understanding of the dissemination and adoption of QM in China, and extends understanding of QM dissemination in the context of management fashion and dissemination theories, using a qualitative approach.