Tools to support the development of a quality culture in a learning organisation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how a systematic approach and supporting tools can support the development of a quality culture, and align cultural change with process improvement goals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the development and deployment of a systematic approach to developing a quality culture, achieved through a structured approach to mentoring and supporting learning techniques including algorithmic matching of mentors to mentees and a structured mentoring journey built around goals and milestones.

Findings

A structured approach to mentoring can deliver significant enhancements to a quality culture, complementing structured approaches to process improvement allowing alignment of cultural and process goals.

Research limitations/implications

The approach has been applied in a relatively small number of organisations (eight) at the time of writing.

Originality/value

The use of a structured approach to learning enables establishment of a quality culture to be part of a structured quality plan.

Citation

Gillies, A.C. (2015), "Tools to support the development of a quality culture in a learning organisation", The TQM Journal, Vol. 27 No. 4, pp. 471-482. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-03-2015-0039