A case study of the quality management system in the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education with reference to its organizational restructuring

Abstract

The central theme of this dissertation seeks to explore the theoretical foundation of good practice in quality management through empirical research. The research is based on a case study in higher vocational education in Hong Kong. The distinct context in higher vocational education is investigated upon evidence gained from a variety of sources, including document, observation, interview and questionnaire survey, and is contrasted with the industrial/commercial context in the light of the general organization theories and quality management theories. The importance of the organization-environmental linkages implies that every organization is influenced by the environment to which the organization must adapt. In response to the external and internal turbulence threatening the old public administration, educational institutions may incorporate the new management techniques, such as Total Quality Management (TQM), as a means to improve education quality. TQM embraces not only a philosophy of continuous improvement implying a constancy of change but also an approach to cultural change challenging the entrenched beliefs and concepts. The applicability of TQM to higher vocational institutions is examined using a multi-frame approach in terms of the structural and cultural perspectives. The relative importance of culture and structure is compared between the cultural model and the structural model. The claims for the fashion of change, restructuring in both the administrative and academic issues, are challenged with respect to the emphasis on structure rather than on culture, and the radical change as opposed to kaizen characteristic of TQM. Successful implementation of TQM or restructuring requires to address the what of change and the how of change. How the change is best accomplished using different change strategies in different times and under different situations is critically assessed. The major aim of this research is not to find a best way of quality management but to improve practices through critical reflection.