Purpose
The purpose of this study is to challenge bridging the gap between the problems of the existing quality profession and the existing and emerging challenges of quality with regard to people, organizations and societies, hence broadening the traditional coverage of quality from the organizations to these three hierarchial societal levels.
Design/methodology/approach
Through professional involvement with researching, developing and practicing quality principles, methodologies and solutions in practice for decades, the authors became convinced that the prevailing conceptual thinking of quality is not based on the valid scientific basis and contains the problem of superficiality. Hence also the practical quality applications are fragmented and vague. As a reaction to the situation, the authors clarify the conceptual essence of quality, its historical background and usage in today’s everyday and professional contexts.
Findings
In this article, the authors present a solid scientific baseline for the ontological fundamentals of the quality discipline, on which also the epistemological pondering can be built, hence establishing the robust foundation for the practical quality management applications.
Originality/value
This conceptual article is an original research and review paper, contributing to the revival process of the quality profession in its entirety, including quality research, education and practices. The study is based on the authors’ multidisciplinary experience, theoretical reflecting and recognized references.
The universities have a diverse influence on the development of the society. Today this also includes countless smart city and community initiatives all over the world. These cases bring together city planning, industry, universities and citizens to improve the urban life of individuals and organizations with the integrated use of versatile information, digital and communication technologies. The purpose of this article is to consider quality management in the universities in a professional and creative way, which comprehensively covers the universities' activities of education, research and social collaboration, and which can ensure the universities' successful partnership in the smart city projects.This article describes the key aspects related to the smart city phenomenon and development, and in this context the challenges to expanding and reinforcing the universities' quality management practices to meet the increased requirements of the collaboration with the other organizations for the quality of society through the disrupted innovations. The article brings up related conceptual bases, practical solutions and examples.Smart cities are also manifestations of the 4 th industrial revolution and industry 4.0, which emerging phenomena imply innovations, better planning, a more participatory approach towards higher energy efficiency, better transport solutions, and intelligent use of information and communication technologies. The required collaboration with the many different involved societal parties sets requirements for quality in the universities' main activity sectors. In practice, this is ensured through organizational learning towards excellence in the overall performance of the university that implies professional quality management principles, innovations in processes and practices aligned with the other organizations of the society.This article is based on the authors' long-term general research and practice of the business integrated quality management, and education and industry collaboration at different universities. Some parts of the material have been presented at different seminars and conferences, for instance in Chelyabinsk/Russia, Kenitra/Morocco and Kremenets/Ukraina.
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