The epistemological basis for quality management

Researchers have observed that Quality Management (QM) is often inconsistently implemented in practice because of a lack of understanding of the main QM concepts. This article uses a multi-paradigm analysis involving systemic, pragmatic, and constructivist perspectives to show that the QM theory can be grounded in an epistemological framework based on the integration of these three paradigms. We propose and provide a solid and unifying epistemological basis to help better understand QM on a theoretical level as well as to facilitate its implementation.