When the assessment of quality is applied to the concept of quality, you get a reviewable process, which is the basis for reviewing all process. This is not circular. To believe so is simplistic.
Like many things, quality has to be self-referential (note also Bertrand Russell's set of all sets). The quality of the quality initiative is more important than the output of the initiative, on the basis that if the initiative fails, then it has a direct (potentially negative) impact on all activity. As it is, the reason for applying a quality process is to have a positive effect (only). You have to be able to measure that effect before you can blithely apply it - thus, meta-quality.
Thinking about quality, & applying a critical quality eye on the initiative, is also a way of focusing attention & energy inwardly (on the process of setting up quality) before doing so outwardly (applying the quality initiative), before extending the effects to outside of the quality system (improving the quality of deliverables). This is an onion approach - building on the innermost layers.
If the core of the onion is rotten, then the outer-most layer will be tainted. That's the point where the organisation touches the customer, & is therefore where the organisation's key outcome lies. Any cosmetic change to the skin of the onion is a temporary mask of the fundamental problems in the organisation that need to be addressed first.
Like a real onion, the edible part is hidden behind a thin veneer that needs to be immediately peeled back before use - after purchase. It may be too late to realise that the onion won't deliver the expected flavour once you've bought it, but you'll know better than to return to that greengrocer next time.
That's metaphor stinks.
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