Management of quality vis‐à‐vis quality of management in the Asia‐Pacific region: a conceptual analysis

Abstract

The Asia‐Pacific region today is swept by an unprecedented rate of change, complexity, interconnectedness, and uncertainty. Now perhaps more than at any other time since World War II, the region is becoming acutely aware of its ethnic diversity, its ideological jumble, and its political mélange – all of which increase its vulnerability in the emerging world order. There is also a simultaneous need for recognition of the areas of commonalty and of the potential of the Asia Pacific region for organizing itself into a legitimate counterweight to the two trading communities from the West – the European Community (EC) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Against this background, this article examines some of the common features in quality management for global competitiveness and relates them to themes such as the management practices and metaphysical belief systems of the Asia Pacific region. Implications for the future are discussed.