Fleming S T, Bopp K D, Anderson K G
University of Missouri at Columbia.
Health Care Manage Rev. 1993 Fall;18(4):29-33.
In many ways the spread of total quality management (TQM) across this country can be compared to a religious conversion. Both cases are characterized by a philosophical shift with far-reaching changes in responsibilities and incentives for the people involved. This article bridges the disciplines of theology and health services management by elaborating a metaphor in which TQM is compared to various aspects of the Judeo-Christian faiths, such as the role of laws and standards; the importance of miracles, prophets, and evangelists; and the practical applications of living out the faith.