TQM and the Transcendental Meditation program in a Swedish top management team

Drawing on a case study of a Swedish top management team whose members were practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation 1 (TM 1 ) technique, this article argues for developmental maturity as an important causal factor for effective TQM behaviors and success. It suggests that, first, increased maturity permits expression of more effective cognitive, affective, and team TQM behaviors, as indicated by improved team functioning and successful TQM planning, and, second, practice of the TM technique promotes the psychological maturation that allows a greater range of appropriate TQM behaviors. Thus, the inner development provided by the Transcendental Meditation program has practical value for managers engaged in TQM implementation.