BATTLE OF VALUES: A GAP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL AND IDEAL TQM CULTURE IN LITHUANIA AND TURKEY

Abstract

The research is centred on potentially existing gap between present organizational values and values essential to TQM. The values essential to TQM are fixed and encoded in its internal logic. Therefore each organization has different values which may be more or less compatible with values essential for TQM. The gap between TQM values and organisational values is measured according 8 dimensions of organizational culture suggested by Detert et al (2000) in Turkish and Lithuanian organizations. The results of research show that organizations from these countries will face different challenges when implementing TQM. Studied Turkish organizations are less oriented externally and less ready to delegate decision making as TQM would promote. Studied Lithuanian organizations are characterized by short-term orientation which is not compatible with TQM value. Such approach recognizes that individual organizations have individual challenges related with TQM adoption. It provides more nuanced, contingent view of TQM adoption or defection. It constitutes a mean to diagnose future implementation challenges in advance which could help change agents to prepare targeted attractors or interventions when implementing TQM. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.em.17.3.2146