Changing from Production to Quality: Application of the Situational Leadership Transtheoretical Change Models

Abstract

This article addresses the problem of how to diffuse responsibility for quality throughout the organization. Central to this challenge is the need to shift the employee mindset and behavior away from exclusive focus on production or service delivery toward a mindset that integrates concern and responsibility for quality. The authors suggest that two approaches in particular provide promising tools for managers attempting to diffuse a focus on quality throughout their organizations. The Transtheoretical Model of Change provides a model for understanding the stages that people go through when attempting change. The Situational Leadership Model provides a useful approach to leading this important organizational transformation. The authors apply the Situational Leadership Model to prescribe what actions leaders should perform when working to bring about a change in follower orientation from production to quality. They believe that the Situational Leadership Model is an appropriate choice of leadership models given the degree to which it fits the stages of change at the follower level of analysis described by the Transtheoretical Model of Change.

• change
• leadership
• quality

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard A. Grover

Richard A. Grover is associate professor of organizational behavior at the University of Southern Maine School of Business. He specializes in the areas of leadership and change. His work has been published in a variety of journals, including Croup and Organization Management, Journal of Managerial Issues, Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, and the Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal. He has served on the editorial board or as a reviewer for several management journals and publishing houses. He holds a doctorate in organizational behavior and a master's degree in pharmacy administration from The Ohio State University. His current research focuses on applying organizational behavior theory to key problems in health care delivery and quality. Grover can be reached at [email protected].

H. Fred Walker

H. Fred Walker is the department chair and graduate coordinator in the Department of Technology at the University of Southern Maine. Walker's research agenda is focused on issues related to the enhancement of competitiveness for manufacturing and service organizations and his teaching interests include applied research methods, engineering economy, project management, and several courses in quality. Walker serves the ASQ Quality Management Division as editor of the Quality Management Forum and maintains certification as an ASQ Certified Quality Manager, Certified Quality Engineer, and Certified Quality Auditor. His most recent accomplishments include coauthoring two books published by ASQ Quality Press, including The Certified Quality Engineer Handbook and The Certified Quality Technician Handbook. He holds a doctorate in industrial education and technology, a master's of engineering degree in systems engineering from Iowa State University, and a master's of business administration and a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from California State University, Fresno. He can be reached at [email protected].