Reengineering Engineers: Management Philosophies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the 1990s

Total Quality Management and reengineering attempt a shift from classic static hierarchy of the vertically integrated firm to a flexible, nonhierarchical structure. These theories address a central problem of modern society: the relationship of the individual to large social organizations. They thus concern the balance between individual and collective interests, between top-down direction and bottom-up participation, and between ends and means. Here, Westwick examines how these theories work at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1990s.