Organisational culture: the hidden operand in clinical laboratories.

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

Design/methodology/approach: 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.

Findings: 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.

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

Originality/value: 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.