The Challenges of Remote Work to the development of a TQM Culture

Purpose – The purpose of the current paper is to analyze the challenges raised by remote work to the development of a TQM culture. In addition, a framework to assess an organization’s capacity to build a quality management culture within the context of remote (and hybrid) forms of work is proposed.

Design /approach – The paper is based on a critical analysis of relevant literature. From this literature review, and using the OCTAPACE model, the organizational values that facilitate the implementation of TQM are derived and the impacts of the new working scenario on the adoption and diffusion of such values are examined.

Findings – The impact of remote forms of work on the various OCTAPACE culture dimensions is not the same. While autonomy is expected to increase, collaboration and trust are particularly threatened. Additionally, to have a strong TQM culture, openness, collaboration, trust, and experimentation need to be fostered.

Research limitations/implications- The paper is mainly conceptual and the proposed framework needs to be empirically validated in future studies. However, it is possible to conclude that, in order to foster a TQM culture, occasional face-to-face meetings need to take place and changes in leadership styles need to occur.

Originality/value- Management literature has extensively discussed the advantages and shortcomings of remote work. Yet, its effects on quality management have received considerably less attention.

Paper type: Conceptual paper

TQM, organizational values, remote work, socialization