Human factors affecting the acceptance of total quality management

Examines two distinctly different reasons for resistance to total quality management (TQM) in US corporations. One of these is that workers will perceive TQM as controlling rather than empowering: in effect, seeing it as a ploy to get them to work harder for fewer rewards. Alternatively, it may be that TQM is seen as empowering but that all individuals do not want enriched, empowered jobs. Asks whether personality characteristics, and especially equity sensitivity, growth need strength, and willingness to engage in organizational citizenship behavior, are related to each other and whether they will influence individuals’ reactions to job characteristics associated with the quality environment. Findings offer support for the second of the possibilities raised, with results suggesting that resistance is not related to perceptions that jobs under TQM are seen as controlling. Finds evidence that personality characteristics, and especially growth needs strength (GNS) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), are related to preferences for enriched jobs of the type associated with the quality environment.