Which individual is recognized as the founder of the third wave of the industrial revolution?

W. Edwards Deming is recognized as the founder of the third wave of the industrial revolution due to his significant contributions to quality management and statistical process control. His philosophy centered around the idea of improving quality to enhance productivity and reduce costs, which had a profound impact on manufacturing processes and management practices post-World War II. Deming's work led to a shift from traditional, inspection-based quality assurance to a more proactive approach, emphasizing continuous improvement and systemic thinking.

He introduced key concepts such as the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, which helps organizations refine their processes through iterative experimentation and feedback. This approach aligns with the principles of the third wave, characterized by the integration of quality into every aspect of production and increasingly complex supply chains and production systems.

The other individuals mentioned made significant contributions to quality and management but are not specifically known for founding the third wave of the industrial revolution. Philip Crosby is well-known for his emphasis on "zero defects" and quality management principles, while Joseph Juran focused on quality planning and control. Armand Feigenbaum is noted for his total quality management (TQM) approach. However, none of their contributions specifically marked the inception of the third wave in the same way Deming’s