Understanding quality – conceptualization of the fundamental concepts of quality
International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences
ISSN: 1756-669X
Article publication date: 18 September 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to challenge bridging the gap between the problems of the existing quality profession and the existing and emerging challenges of quality with regard to people, organizations and societies, hence broadening the traditional coverage of quality from the organizations to these three hierarchial societal levels.
Design/methodology/approach
Through professional involvement with researching, developing and practicing quality principles, methodologies and solutions in practice for decades, the authors became convinced that the prevailing conceptual thinking of quality is not based on the valid scientific basis and contains the problem of superficiality. Hence also the practical quality applications are fragmented and vague. As a reaction to the situation, the authors clarify the conceptual essence of quality, its historical background and usage in today’s everyday and professional contexts.
Findings
In this article, the authors present a solid scientific baseline for the ontological fundamentals of the quality discipline, on which also the epistemological pondering can be built, hence establishing the robust foundation for the practical quality management applications.
Originality/value
This conceptual article is an original research and review paper, contributing to the revival process of the quality profession in its entirety, including quality research, education and practices. The study is based on the authors’ multidisciplinary experience, theoretical reflecting and recognized references.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors; it was only carried out because of the authors’ scientific multidisciplinary interests and desire to clarify the ontological fundamentals of the quality discipline and contribute to the revival process of the quality profession in its entirety.
The authors would like to thank Ilkka Niiniluoto, Ilpo Halonen and Ilkka Kamaja respectively for their inspiring insights and words of encouragement, and Pal Molnar and Mohamed Zairi for their support and stimulation for our earlier manuscripts about this research. We would also like to thank Jens Dahlgaard for his valuable comments as Guest Editor and the Members of the Finnish National Mirror Committee to ISO/TC 176 for fruitful collaboration of many years.
Citation
Anttila, J. and Jussila, K. (2017), "Understanding quality – conceptualization of the fundamental concepts of quality", International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, Vol. 9 No. 3/4, pp. 251-268. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQSS-03-2017-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited