THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CATEGORY OF QUALITY IN THE HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE OF ECONOMIC TEACHINGS

Natalia Tereshchenko; Marina Kasyanova

UDC 338.45.01 UDC 658.56

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THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CATEGORY OF QUALITY IN THE HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE OF ECONOMIC TEACHINGS

Published in Trade, service, food industry · Volume 6, Issue 2 · Pages 271–285 · Rubric: Economic theory

EDN: SVBVLO

Received: 27.02.2026 Accepted: 07.05.2026 Published: 06.07.2026

Authors

Natalia Tereshchenko

Marina Kasyanova

Natalia Tereshchenko

Academic degree: doctor of economic sciences

Science rang: professor

Siberian Federal University professor · Depatment of Trade Business and Marketing · Russian Federation · Krasnoyarsk

Marina Kasyanova

Siberian Federal University Russian Federation · Krasnoyarsk

ABSTRACT

This article presents a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the evolution of scientific approaches to defining the category of “quality” in the context of the development of the main economic schools. The study traces the transformation of ideas about quality from the philosophical concepts of antiquity to modern interpretations shaped by digitalization and the service economy. The relevance of the study stems from the lack of terminological unity in defining quality, which complicates the development of effective management methodologies in today's market conditions. The aim of this work is to systematize existing definitions, identify key stages in the evolution of the concept of quality, and develop an original definition adapted to the specifics of trade and services. The study utilizes historical, logical, and comparative analysis, as well as content analysis of quality definitions from philosophical, economic, and management literature. The scientific novelty lies in establishing correlations between the evolution of economic thought and changing interpretations of quality. The results demonstrate a clear evolutionary trajectory: from the understanding of quality as an objective, production-determined attribute of a product within the framework of mercantilism and classical economics, through its subjectivization during the marginal revolution, to the modern interpretation as a systemic and institutionally determined phenomenon. Each economic school made a specific contribution. The conducted research shows that each economic school has contributed to the development of quality theory. The modern concept of quality integrates technological reliability, subjective consumer value, institutional effectiveness, and adaptability under conditions of uncertainty. Based on the analysis, the author proposes a definition of quality as a multidimensional category reflecting the dynamic correspondence between objective characteristics and subjective expectations, ensuring value creation in a specific temporal context. This definition synthesizes value-oriented, market-based, and systems approaches, making it applicable to the development of modern quality management systems in the service sector.

KEYWORDS

quality, evolution, economic schools, service sector, value, marginal utility

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GOST

Tereshchenko N. N., Kasyanova M. S. THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CATEGORY OF QUALITY IN THE HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE OF ECONOMIC TEACHINGS // Trade, service, food industry. 2026. no. 2. pp. 271-285. URL: https://tsfi-mag.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c162b32807fdbab8720d9/theoretical-analysis-of-the-category-of-quality-in-the-historical-retrospective-of-economic-teachings/view. EDN: SVBVLO. (Date of access 27.09.2026).

MLA

Natalia Tereshchenko, Kasyanova M. S.. "THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CATEGORY OF QUALITY IN THE HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE OF ECONOMIC TEACHINGS." Trade, service, food industry 6.2 (2026): 271-285. URL: https://tsfi-mag.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c162b32807fdbab8720d9/theoretical-analysis-of-the-category-of-quality-in-the-historical-retrospective-of-economic-teachings/view. EDN: SVBVLO.

APA

Tereshchenko N. N., Kasyanova M. S. (2026). THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CATEGORY OF QUALITY IN THE HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE OF ECONOMIC TEACHINGS. Trade, service, food industry, 6(2), 271-285. URL: https://tsfi-mag.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c162b32807fdbab8720d9/theoretical-analysis-of-the-category-of-quality-in-the-historical-retrospective-of-economic-teachings/view EDN: SVBVLO.

Chicago

Natalia Tereshchenko, Kasyanova M. S.. "THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CATEGORY OF QUALITY IN THE HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE OF ECONOMIC TEACHINGS." Trade, service, food industry 6, no. 2 (2026): 271-285. URL: https://tsfi-mag.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c162b32807fdbab8720d9/theoretical-analysis-of-the-category-of-quality-in-the-historical-retrospective-of-economic-teachings/view. EDN: SVBVLO.

WIKI

{{cite journal | author = Tereshchenko N. N., Kasyanova M. S. | title = THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CATEGORY OF QUALITY IN THE HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE OF ECONOMIC TEACHINGS | journal = Trade, service, food industry | year = 2026 | volume = 6 | issue = 2 | pages = 271-285 | url = https://tsfi-mag.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c162b32807fdbab8720d9/theoretical-analysis-of-the-category-of-quality-in-the-historical-retrospective-of-economic-teachings/view }} EDN: SVBVLO

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