An improved model for quantifying an organisational quality culture

Implementing a successful quality management system demands a paradigm shift from the traditional management practices (planning, organising, leading and controlling) to a focus on continual improvement. A specific challenge for organisations is to adapt their organisational culture to a quality culture. However, it would appear that cultural issues are vaguely defined, if at all, and that little attention is afforded by organisations when implementing a quality system. A literature review provided only one quality culture model consisting of five critical success factors. This study explored the concept of culture, organisational culture and quality culture. Forty-two elements of a quality culture were identified and incorporated into a modified model. The model developed as a result of this study can be used to identify opportunities for management intervention, ultimately building a stronger culture supporting the never-ending goal of continual improvement. Future research could focus on validating the model through comparative studies in organisations in the form of survey questionnaires or structured (or semi-structured) interviews and expanding the model to include a focus on specific organisational values.