Abstract
This study investigates the South Korean government’s effort to promote macro-level quality development. Using the single case study method, the authors examined 28 empirical studies published for Korean audiences that discussed the quality development initiative in South Korea which occurred between the 1950s and the mid 2010s. The results revealed the Korean government’s unique model for macro-level quality development. Discussed herein is the key strategic approach for the governance of the initiative, its timeline, the innovative policy and administration necessary for sound governance, and the contribution of collaborative partnerships. An investigation into this iterative, macro-level, quality development process in South Korea provides insight into the process of shifting perspective about quality and establishing a culture of continuous quality improvement to gain a competitive edge in the global market.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abercrombie, N., Hill, S., & Turner, B. (2006). The Penguin dictionary of sociology (5th ed). Penguin Books.
Ahn, S. (1998). ISO 9001 품질시스템 인증 구축을 위한 도입·적용에 관한 연구: (주) 금강 에레베이터 공장 사례를 중심으로 [A study on the standards of 9001 quality management system for faster adoption and diffusion in the car-lift industry of Korea: A case study of Keum-Kang Elevator. Co. Ltd.] [Master’s thesis, Yonsei University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=d988426901529fc9#redirect
Allvin, S., Ulmer, J. M., & Ollison, T. E. (2008). The Malcolm Baldrige Award: What technology managers can learn from health care winners. The International Journal of Applied Management and Technology, 6(3), 274–302.
Ames, H., Glenton, C., & Lewin, S. (2019). Purposive sampling in a qualitative evidence synthesis: A worked example from a synthesis on parental perceptions of vaccination communication. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 19(26), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-019-0665-4
Bodolica, V., Spraggon, M., & Tofan, G. (2015). A structuration framework for bridging the macro–micro divide in health-care governance. Health Expectations, 19(4), 790–804.
Buntak, K., Adelsberger, Z., & Nađ, I. (2012). Impact of product quality in the business of the organization. International Journal for Quality Research, 6(3), 271–283. http://www.ijqr.net/journal/v6-n3/10.pdf
Cha, D. (2002). TQM의 行政適用 戰略에 관한 硏究: 地方自治 行政事例를 中心으로 [A study on the administrative application strategies of TQM: Focused on local governments] [Doctoral dissertation, Kwangwoon University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=e44899689305814f#redirect
Cho, J., & Ha, J. (2006). TOC-TP 와 Six-Sigma 를 활용한 생산성 향상 방안 연구 [A study on the improvement of the productivity based on TOC-TP and six sigma]. 대한산업공학회 [Journal of the Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers], 2006(5), 942–950. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=1a0202e37d52c72d&control_no=4ec4b39040555affffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Choi, K. (1998). 建設工事 組織體系를 통한 管理試案에 관한 硏究 [A study on the systematization of the organization for quality text in the construction work] [Master’s thesis, Kyonggi University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=23bad662d53f5ea9#redirect
Chung, S. (2011). Innovation, competitiveness and growth: Korean experiences. In J. Y. Lin & B. Pleskovic (Eds.), Lessons from East Asia and the global financial crisis: Annual World Bank Conference on Development Economics - Global, 2010 (pp. 333–357). World Bank.
Creswell, J. W. (2005). Educational research. Pearson Education, Inc.
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Deming, W. E. (1986). Out of the crisis. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press.
Deming, W. E. (1994). The new economics for industry, government, and education. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press.
Erlandson, D. A., Harris, E. L., Skipper, B. L., & Allen, S. D. (1993). Doing naturalistic inquiry: A guide to methods. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Farazmand, A. (1999). Globalization and public administration. Public Administration Review, 59(6), 509–522.
Farazmand, A. (2001). Globalization, the state, and public administration: A theoretical analysis with policy implications for developmental states. Public Organization Review, 1(4), 437–464.
Farazmand, A. (2002). Globalization, privatization, and the future of governance: A critical assessment. Public Finance and Management, 2(1), 125–153.
Farazmand, A. (2004). Sound governance: Policy and administrative innovations. Praeger Publishers.
Farazmand, A. (2005). Role of government in an era of Total Quality Management (TQM) and globalization: Challenges and opportunities. Public Organization Review, 5(3), 201–217.
Farazmand, A. (2009). Building administrative capacity for the age of rapid globalization: A modest prescription for the twenty-first century. Public Administration Review, 69(6), 1007–1020.
Farazmand, A. (2012). The future of public administration: Challenges and opportunities; a critical perspective. Administration & Society, 44(4), 487–517.
Farazmand, A. (2017). Governance reforms: The good, the bad, and the ugly; and the sound: Examining the past and exploring the future of public organizations. Public Organization Review, 17(4), 595–617.
Fragassa, C., Pavlovic, A., & Massimo, S. (2014). Using a total quality strategy in a new practical approach for improving the product reliability in the automotive industry. International Journal for Quality Research, 8(3), 297–310. http://www.ijqr.net/journal/v8-n3/1.pdf
Frank, C. R. Jr., Kim, K. S., & Westphal, L. E. (1975). Foreign trade regimes and economic development: South Korea. http://www.nber.org/chapters/c4063.pdf
Garvin, D. A. (1987). Competing on the eight dimensions of quality. Harvard Business Review, 65(6), 101–109.
Gitlow, H. S., & Hertz, P. T. (1983). Product defects and productivity. Harvard Business Review, 61(5), 131–141.
Hoyle, D. (2001). ISO 9000 quality systems handbook (4th ed.). Butterworth Heinemann.
Hwang, E.-C. (1980). Quality control and quality assurance in Korea. Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management, 8(2), 38–44. http://kiss.kstudy.com.eres.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/thesis/thesis-view.asp?key=167518
Hwang, I. (2002). 한국 서비스조직의 6시그마 시행과 성과에 관한 실증적 연구 [Implementation of six sigma and it's performances in Korean service industry: An empirical study] [Doctoral dissertation, Kyonggi University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=eb08371826576796#redirect
Hwang, S. (2010). 6시그마 활동 고찰을 통한 철도공기업에 적합한 혁신방법론 연구 [A study on innovation methodology for public railway companies in the perspective of six sigma] [Master’s thesis, Hanyang University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=b906de2c031b3139ffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Jang, E. (2013). 중소제조기업의 품질경영 활동으로서 Single PPM이 경영성과에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구 [A study on the effects of single PPM on management performance in small-medium manufacturing industry] [Master’s thesis, Korea National University of Transportation]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=18c174f8562d71b2ffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Jeong, S. (2011). TPS의 적용을 통한 포스코 혁신에 대한 연구: 혁신기법과 기업문화를 중심으로 [A study on POSCO innovation through the application of TPS] [Master’s thesis, Chonnam National University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=975cda201ea554d0ffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Kim, D. (2014). 전사적품질경영 (TQM) 활동이 기업의 혁신역량 및 성과에 미치는 영향: 국내 주물제조업체들을 중심으로 [Effects of total quality management activities on corporate's innovation capability and performance: Focused on the domestic foundry industry] [Doctoral dissertation, Yeungnam University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=55152560d01c4c6bffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Kim, S. (2002). 우리 나라 국가 품질상 제도와 미국의 국가 품질상 제도에 관한 비교 연구 [Comparison between Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award and Korean Quality Award] [Master’s thesis, Kyung Hee University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=befdb585a63fefb9#redirect
Ko, I. (2011). 정부조달물품의 품질관리 발전방안에 관한 연구: 자가품질보증제도 도입 성공을 위한 요인에 관한 연구 [Study on developmental measures for quality management of government supply procurement] [Master’s thesis, Korea University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=d2816bb31cfa0c94ffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Ko, J. (2009). ISO 9001에서 IEC 60300의 효과적 도입 방안에 관한 연구 [A study on the effective adoption of IEC 60300 from ISO 9001] [Master’s thesis, Sungkyunkwan University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=6e9a7369d422046fffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Ko, Y. (2014). 싱글PPM 품질혁신활동이 경영성과에 미치는 영향 : 혁신활동 산출요인의 조절효과를 중심으로 [A study on the influence of the quality management of single PPM on the management performance] [Master’s thesis, Hansung University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=7521b4c8826d9545ffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Kong, S. (1998). 협력업체의 100PPM 품질혁신활동과 모기업의 지원방향에 관한 연구 [100PPM quality program and supplier development strategy] [Master’s thesis, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology]. http://hdl.handle.net/10203/54006
Ku, I., & Kim, T. (2012). 국내 ISO 인증 중소기업의 싱글PPM 품질혁신 성과에 관한 연구 [A study on the single PPM quality innovation's performance in ISO 9001 certification enterprises]. 대한안전경영과학회 [Journal of Korea Safety Management & Science], 2012(1), 313–323. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=1a0202e37d52c72d&control_no=04cf19d4514c439dffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Lee, J. (2007). 효과적인 품질분임조 활동의 추진모형 구축 [The effective activation model for the quality circle activities] [Master’s thesis, Ajou University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=5826344d7acda161ffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Lee, M. (2002). 공기업 품질경영혁신 성과 연구: 한국전력공사의 품질경영을 중심으로 [A study on quality management innovation performance of public corporation] [Master’s thesis, Kangwon National University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=d6c8842f01475bc0#redirect
Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Milovanović, K. K. (2017). Impact of quality and safety product on competitiveness. International Journal for Quality Research, 11(2), 469–488. http://www.ijqr.net/journal/v11-n2/14.pdf
Moon, D. (1996). ISO 9000 品質 SYSTEM의 導入實態 및 效率的 運營方案에 關한 硏究 [A study on the current status and efficient managements of ISO 9000 quality system] [Master’s thesis, Sungkyunkwan University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=017ba352921e1b60#redirect
Mukoyama, H. (1999). Promotion of small business development in South Korea. The Japan Research Institute, 44. https://www.jri.co.jp/english/periodical/rim/1999/RIMe199903korea/
Na, S. (2005). 말콤볼드리지 모델을 이용한 경영품질 핵심요인에 관한 연구 [A study on the core factors of management quality using the Malcolm Baldrige model] [Master’s thesis, Sungkyunkwan University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=f75b3f0768a9b3a5ffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
. National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2019). Retrieved from http://www.nist.gov/baldrige/about/faqs_recipients.cfm
Nurre, A., Gunaman, Y., & De-Almeida, D. (2000). What it means to be ISO 9000 certified. Retrieved from http://www.public.iastate.edu/~vardeman/IE361/f00mini/de-almeida-gunaman-nurre.pdf
Park, B. (2008). 정책품질관리 제도 및 운영에 관한 연구 [A study on the system and operation of policy quality management in the Korean government] [Doctoral dissertation, Sungkyunkwan University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=303de2d25333a38dffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Park, H. (1999). 기업문화유형에따른 TQM관행이 기업성과에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구 [The effect of TQM practice according to the types of corporate culture] [Master’s thesis, Sogang University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=e230dc32264cf0c2#redirect
Park, K. [Kiho]. (2000). 실천적 6시그마 기법 실행 절차에 관한 연구 [A study on the implementing procedure of six-sigma technique] [Master’s thesis, Myongji University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=53ad0a6a48272ab8ffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Park, K. [Kwangtae]., Choi, S., & Kim, B. (1999). An analysis of evolutionary steps of quality management in Korean manufacturing firms with the perspective of technological capabilities. 韓國生産管理學會誌[Journal of the Korean Production and Operations Management Society], 10(1), 105–130. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=1a0202e37d52c72d&control_no=60275958114948ceffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Pendiuc, T. (2012). Ways of increasing the efficiency of quality management in the commercial companies under the authority of the Romanian local council in the post-accession period to the European market. International Journal for Quality Research, 6(1), 41–46. http://www.ijqr.net/journal/v6-n1/5.pdf
Peshkin, A. (1993). The goodness of qualitative research. Educational Researcher, 22(2), 23–29.
Pletcher, H. (2019). The top 20 economies in the world ranking the richest countries in the world. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/insights/worlds-top-economies/
Psychogios, A. G., & Priporas, C. (2007). Understanding total quality management in context: Qualitative research on managers’ awareness of TQM aspects in the Greek service industry. The Qualitative Report, 12(1), 40–66.
Riessman, C. K. (2008). Narrative methods for the human sciences. SAGE Publication, Inc.
Ryu, J. (2002). 우리나라 公共行政部門의 TQM 適用에 관한 硏究: 忠南道廳 事例를 中心으로 [A study on the application of TQM method to public administration: Focused on the case of Chungnam Provincial Office, Korea] [Master’s thesis, Hannam University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=712ace47ba74739cffe0bdc3ef48d419#redirect
Savovic, I., Bacovic, M., Pekovic, S., & Stanovcic, T. (2016). Impact of investment in quality and environmental protection on regional sustainability. International Journal for Quality Research, 10(3), 625–640. http://www.ijqr.net/journal/v10-n3/13.pdf
Shenton, A. K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Education for Information, 22, 63–75.
Shin, W., & Park, H. (2016). Korean quality: Past, present, and future. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 27(7), 703–717. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2016.1202755
Siggelkow, N. (2007). Persuasion with case studies. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 20–24.
Srinivasan, A., & Kurey, B. (2014). Creating a culture of quality. Harvard Business Review, 92(4), 23–25.
Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Sage Publications, Inc.
Statista. (2020). South Korea: Gross domestic product (GDP) in current prices from 1984 to 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/263579/gross-domestic-product-gdp-in-south-korea/
Straube, B. M. (2013). A role for government: An Observation on Federal Healthcare Efforts in Prevention. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44(1), S39–S42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2012.09.009
Sun, J. (2007). Building of human resources and the introduction of technology. The Review of Korean Studies, 10(4), 43–69. http://www.dbpia.co.kr/journal/articleDetail?nodeId=NODE01158413
Tang, N., Eisenberg, J. M., & Meyer, G. S. (2004). The role of government in improving health care quality and safety. Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Safety, 30(1), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1549-3741(04)30006-7
Willis, B. (2014). The advantages and limitations of single case study analysis. E-International Relations, 1–7.
Yim, N. (1996). ISO 9000 시리즈에 의한 品質保證시스템이 우리나라 企業經營에 미치는 影響 [Study on the effects of ISO 9000 quality assurance systems in Korean industry] [Master’s thesis, Chungnam National University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=1f1d22c416421734#redirect
Yim, S. (1998). 100 PPM 品質革新運動의 活性化를 위한 實踐的 硏究 [A study for promoting quality innovation movement using 100 PPM] [Master’s thesis, Daegu University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=a258bc4560b1191a#redirect
Yin, R. K. (1994). Discovering the Future of the Case Study. Method in Evaluation Research. The American journal of evaluation, 15(3), 283–290.
Yin, R. K. (2012). Applications of case study research (3rd ed). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Yin, R. K. (2013). Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Yoon, H. (2003). 도요타 자동차 생산시스템에 관한 재조명 [A study on the Toyota automobile production system] [Master’s thesis, Dong-a University]. http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09&control_no=5b61dda914c6eb7e#redirect
Zhang, Z. (2000). Quality management approach in China. The TQM Magazine, 12(2), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780010318343
Funding
This study was funded by the authors without any support (financial or otherwise) from any institution.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
Authors received no research grants. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oliver, J., Oliver, Z.M. The Role of Government in Macro-Level Quality Development: A Case Study of South Korea. Public Organiz Rev 22, 669–690 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-021-00537-1
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-021-00537-1