The growing interest in total quality management programmes is well‐known, although there is some concern that such programmes have, in practice, paid only limited attention to human resource management issues. Uses the findings of a primary case study and two secondary case studies to examine...

Argues that organizations are in the midst of a competitive revolution and quality improvement is an important factor in the quest to remain competitive. Companies are realizing they need to initiate a quality improvement programme and that training is a critical variable in the success of that...

Quality managers must be seen to support directly the primary aims of the business. This means that they can no longer impose change plans on the business, but rather they have to persuade and facilitate change. This requires skills that are inherent in the consulting process. Identifies the key...

Explores the prevailing system of management in the West, which has discouraged individual initiative. The results are decreased innovation and a reduction in applied technology. To restore motivation, innovation and joy in work and learning, a transformation of management is essential. This...

In an age when everything is moving at a faster pace and change has become the order of the day, companies large and small have to be more alert to the opportunities and threats that could make or break them. British Steel has raised the business awareness of all its employees and is nurturing a...

The paper focuses on the contribution which adequate organisational learning and innovation can make to the enhancement, development and improvement of professional expertise in the construction domain. The paper, based on research undertaken within the European (fourth framework)‐funded...

Draws on a consultancy project designed to reduce accident rates in four Danish sugar factories. Presents examples of metaphor use in the project and documents a steady decline in numbers and severity of accidents over time. Hypothesises that the use of metaphors is part of the explanation....

This article presents an application in organizational consulting of a model that utilises the concept of “energy”. This model has its roots in an ancient framework, the chakra system. The approach is emergent, and to date has proved insightful for managers and others in settings such as...

Organisational change is typically conceptualised as moving from the status quo to a new, desired, configuration to better match the environment. Change could, therefore, be seen as a departure from the norm, or alternatively as normal and simply a natural response to environmental and internal...

Reflection upon a field study of a corporate transformation provides insights into the application and integration of organizational learning theory and frameworks with local, corporate knowledge. In the corporate transformation studied this local knowledge came from consumer psychology,...