Quality management: A cross-cultural perspective based on GLOBE

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the extent to which quality management is “culture-specific”.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents the results of a survey administered across 21 countries that seeks to examine quality priorities and practices by adopting the global leadership and organizational behaviour effectiveness (GLOBE) framework. Data were collected in 2006 as part of the fourth iteration of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. The methodology involved the use of a self-administered questionnaire to director/head of operations/manufacturing in best practice firms within the sector of firms classified by ISIC codes (rev.3.1) Divisions 28-35.

Findings – From this study, it emerges that adopting the GLOBE framework provides an invaluable insight into understanding quality management across countries. In particular, the findings show that some national cultures are more conducive to the implementation of quality management than others.

Practical implications – The analysis of the data leads this paper to endorse the idea that through an accumulation of scientific knowledge relevant to the applicability of quality management across national settings, managers can better understand how to transfer best quality management practices from one country to another.

Originality/value – While some previous research portrays quality management as a comprehensive management paradigm with elements and relationships that transcend cultural and national boundaries, the current study provides evidence that the adoption of certain quality practices across different countries can follow distinctive patterns.