SV: Deming on systems thinking

[Øgland - Petter <petter.ogland@skatteetaten.no>]

'Religion' is perhaps not the best word, although I feel there is more than
Logical Positivism in the message Deming was giving to the world.  His focus
on aspects like "joy in workmanship" seems rather different from "return on
investment" or "pleasing the customers/shareholders".

My impression is that Deming viewed business management as more than
optimising the machine.  From his books and paper, I get the impression he
had something more to say, something about life in general.  I was hoping
that there was perhaps some kind of link with Capra or similar thinkers who
are conserned with global sustainablity and ecology.  Did Deming have
anthing to say about James Lovelock and the Gaia theory?  Lovelock seems to
be wanting to apply the Deming philosophy on a global basis.

Petter