Focuses on the importance within an organization of a philosophy for quality management. A clearly defined vision for the organization serves as a basis for identifying and selecting goals. Identifiable, attainable, and realistic goals are essential in leading, motivating and focusing human...

Every organization adopts a different approach to making steps towards total quality. Describes a number of variables which are consistent with successful progress down the road towards total quality. Presents observation and analysis of 28 organizations whose quality managers are participating...

Asks whether socially responsible behaviour and capitalism can be sensibly reconciled. Notes the economic advantages of capitalism but also concerns regarding factors such as social order and pollution, suggesting that quality management has a role to play in bringing the goals of capitalism and...

Features responses to a piece by the Editor on the “Ethics of capitalism”. Views include the point that irresponsibility is not a characteristic of capitalism although it is a characteristic of some people. Also notes some of the moves being made to promote more responsible behaviour from...

Discusses philosophical issues regarding quality improvement and the benefits of non‐traditional ways of thought applied to business.

Describes some of the shortcomings of the traditional approaches to business ethics in organizations, posing the question “Can capitalism co‐exist with social concern?” Discusses social responsibility as successful business practice, rather than nice‐to‐do irrelevance in business....

Considers the importance of brand names. Looks at Manchester United as a club which has built a brand and notes the merchandising director’s comments that the logo and control of its usage are vital to the interests of the club. Suggests all companies should consider their brand image and take...

Ponders the nature of the exchange of labour (effort and time) for payment in networking organizations, and considers the contrasts that emerge when networking relationships are compared with those traditional power structures. Poses questions about quality assurance to which networking appears...

Looks at the concept of luck, featuring illustrative stories ‐ one of which relates to personal experience. Suggests that we need to learn from good and bad experiences and not merely dismiss them as matters of luck. Underlines the need for discipline and attention to quality systems in business.

Looks at the nature of the consultant‐client encounter with regard to the introduction of quality assurance systems. Notes that while the encounter itself is a dynamic one wherein prescription of quality‐assured behaviours is an impossibility, the static processes which surround the...