Total quality management for sustainable development : Process based system models

Purpose – To highlight possible synergies between total quality management (TQM) and sustainable development (SD). Design/methodology/approach – These synergies are viewed based on a management system framework consisting of values, methodologies and tools. Based on common values the methodology of process management is identified as a good base for describing organisational synergies of TQM and SD. Also, process management for improved sustainability is reviewed. Here, organisational sustainability is viewed as performance based on the triple bottom line (TBL) of economy, environment and social responsibility. Findings – Findings were that process models can be used to structure the large number of indicators used to describe the TBL. This should improve the system understanding. To integrate TQM and SD, quality indicators should be added to the economic dimension. The system‐based process models can be used to describe synergies between TQM and SD. The proposed framework forms a basis for further research of the possible synergies of TQM and SD. Research limitations/implications – The research on synergies is limited on organisational sustainability. Practical implications – Important practical implications are to introduce the process view into sustainability reporting and to include quality indicators in the economic dimension. Originality/value – The paper highlights good possibilities for synergy in combining theory from TQM and SD which should have both a research and a practical interest.