The garbage can life cycle model of quality management

The rapid fashion swings in popular management theory puzzle and alarm many observers and users of management theory. New concepts arrive, experience a sudden popularity, then flatten out and are soon forgotten or appear old‐fashioned. This article presents a model of such short time management theory fashion swings: The garbage can life cycle model. The model is based on James March’s garbage can model of decision making combined with a life cycle model. The model describes how actors, problems and methods typically are different at four stages in the life cycle of a concept. The model is illustrated with data from quality management. The model does not pass judgement on the inherent qualities of quality management or the need for quality in the economy but seeks to explain what typically happens over time. The article concludes with a short discussion from the perspective of the model of the strategies that the quality movement may use at the present stage: A, retracting into full specialization; B, widening and attaching new fashionable themes to quality management; and C, focusing on its competitive advantages. Strategy C is recommended.