Organisational culture: the hidden operand in clinical laboratories

The purpose of this paper is to present organisational cultural determinants that can influence total quality management (TQM) in clinical laboratories.

This is a viewpoint paper using evidence provided by a literature research about cultural patterns using Competing Values Framework to explain the relationship between organisational culture and TQM.

Cultural aspects likely to enhance creativity and innovation are considered as incentives in promoting cultural transformation. TQM in the average modern clinical laboratory requires a long overdue transformational change in values, culture and attitude.

Valuing people, making up an organisation, is expected to enhance TQM.

This paper provokes a shift in thinking among traditional clinical laboratory managers and results in a win-win for both staff and total quality outcomes.