Search Results (11)

The EFQM Model (European Foundation for Quality Management), established in 1991, serves as a framework for organizational excellence, helping achieve sustainable success through an integrated management system. The Model’s evolution is driven by the need to adapt to global trends, threats, and technological innovations such as digital transformation, employee engagement and well-being, remote work, agile performance management, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), sustainability, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and big data. The new EFQM Model 2025, presented in Istanbul in June 2024, introduces significant changes, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and technology. These changes are analyzed based on the logic of three questions: Why, How, and What. Why: There is a necessity for better alignment of organizations with contemporary challenges through flexibility, risk resilience, and innovation capabilities in a dynamic business environment, including alignment with the Unated Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). How: The Model introduces an integrated approach to performance management and transformation, incorporating advanced technologies such as AI and data analytics. What: Implementing the EFQM Model 2025 enhances organizational adaptability, innovation, and flexibility, improving financial, operational, and strategic outcomes. Better alignment with sustainability goals leads to long-term value and social responsibility. Improved stakeholder engagement methods enhance understanding and satisfaction. The use of advanced technologies supports innovation and operational efficiency, while better strategic and operational performance and risk management ensure greater stability and the ability to anticipate future challenges. Full article

Implementing the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) business excellence model in organizations is time- and cost-consuming. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the EFQM business excellence model is a promising approach to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of excellence in organizations. This research paper’s integrated framework follows the ISO/IEC 23053 standard in addressing some of the concerns related to time and cost associated with the EFQM model, achieving higher EFQM scores, and hence operational excellence. A case study involving a UAE government organization serves as a sample to train the AI framework. Historical EFQM results from different years are used as training data. The AI framework utilizes the unsupervised machine learning technique known as k-means clustering. This technique follows the ISO/IEC 23053 standard to predict EFQM output total scores based on criteria and sub-criteria inputs. This research paper’s main output is a novel AI framework that can predict EFQM scores for organizations at an early stage. If the predicted EFQM score is not high enough, then the AI framework provides feedback to decision makers regarding the criteria that need reconsideration. Continuous use of this integrated framework helps organizations attain operational excellence. This framework is considered valuable for decision makers as it provides early predictions of EFQM total scores and identifies areas that require improvement before officially applying for the EFQM excellence award, hence saving time and cost. This approach can be considered as an innovative contribution and enhancement to knowledge body and organizational practices. Full article

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model on education and its contribution to ensuring high-quality education equality. Design/Methodology/Approach: A systematic literature review was conducted based on data from three academic publishers (Taylor & Francis, Emerald, and Elsevier Science Direct). Of the 69 journal articles, 61 were published between 2003 and 2023 and documented the results of the EFQM quality tool, and 8 articles were removed. Findings: The study highlights the results of applying the EFQM Excellence Model in the educational sector. Based on the bibliographic review, the feasibility of using the model in primary, secondary, and tertiary education is identified. We examine the findings related to using the model to ensure equality in high-quality education and the challenges faced by educational systems, with the ultimate goal of meeting student expectations. Research limitations/Implications: An important limitation is that the data were only drawn from three major publishers and the authors did not have access to all the relevant databases, since the search for articles was carried out in English only. The search for articles was limited by the keywords, as the EFQM Excellence Model was originally designed for the private sector. Practical implications: The results and limitations recorded in the study and the presentation of the 88 articles motivate academic researchers to conduct further study and fill the gap left by the limited number of publications on the application of the EFQM Excellence Model in the educational sector. Originality/Value: The EFQM Excellence Model has not been widely implemented in the high-quality educational sector and the existing literature reviews are limited. More research in the field of education is needed to determine the contribution of the excellence model to the evaluation of high-quality education. Full article

The main mission of the internal quality system in educational institutions is to develop the importance of quality in all processes, create suitable conditions for increasing the loyalty and professional development of faculty staff, continually improve student satisfaction, and achieve recognition of educational institutions in the eyes of the public. In the Introduction, this paper covers the current state of the field of quality assurance of higher education in Slovakia. Quality management models that can be used appropriately and effectively in university conditions are identified in the next section. The aim of this overview section was to summarize the advantages and disadvantages resulting from the implementation of quality management models. The paper also includes a case study in which selected models of quality management implemented at a private university in Slovakia are described, especially the process model ISO 9001 and the common assessment framework (CAF) model. The self-assessment within the CAF model was carried out by a questionnaire survey; the obtained data were assessed by classical CAF scoring. The aim of the self-assessment was to identify problem areas and opportunities for improvement and to propose corrective actions. The specifics of the implementation of quality management models at a private university and the benefits resulting from the application are also been defined at the end of the article. Full article

The aim of this paper is to model and interpret the results obtained from the assessment of the Level of Excellence of Slovak service organizations using the criteria of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model. The Gompertz logistic function is effectively employed to fit the incremental improvement and predict the values of future Levels of Excellence. The EFQM model is usually used to improve organizational development and performance. The study focuses on the problem of the slow growth or even stagnation of Slovak service organizations towards Excellence. The questionnaire method was used to assess the Level of Excellence of the selected organizations, and the approach of measuring efficiency as a ratio of results and enablers was used to evaluate the organization’s ability to transform inputs into outputs. Data were collected from 30 service organizations over a period of 20 years. The first finding of the study is the demonstration of the applicability of the Gompertz function to model the evolution of the Level of Excellence. The accuracy of the model is very high, and this predisposes this function to be used to forecast the scores of organizations over time. Examining efficiency yielded a second finding, that organizations were failing to capitalize on the effort put into translating it into results. After the first few years of growth, efficiency stagnates and then even declines. This suggests that the application of the original EFQM excellence model has reached the end of its ability to improve the effectiveness of organizations as a whole. Individual firms may have been growing or declining, but the average service score across the country had no longer the capacity to improve anymore. Full article

Even though Industry 4.0 is primarily focused on the implementation of advanced digital technologies, this is not the only aspect that should be considered. One of the aspects that calls for attention is the ability to create a sustainable and agile industrial environment. In this sense, the role of project management is crucial for achieving business excellence in a new industrial paradigm. The main goal of this paper was to determine the impact of different levels of project management maturity on business excellence in the context of Industry 4.0. The research in the paper was made using a sample of 124 organizations, differing in industry type and size, and recognized through the business excellence awards or recognitions given by European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). Using the Project Management Maturity Model (ProMMM), a significant connection was found between project management maturity and business excellence. Considering technology advances, these relationships were further examined in the context of Industry 4.0. Empirically based conclusions were drawn, which contribute to the literature on project management and business excellence in the context of Industry 4.0. Practitioners can implement them for more effective project management with the intention of bringing excellence into the organization’s operations and results. Additionally, they can be useful to help organizations better cope with changing technology trends. Full article

The problem of sustainable business excellence has been investigated according to different aspects in different fields. For a more detailed analysis, it is necessary to develop an integrative sustainable business excellence model, respecting the baseline model of business excellence according to the European Foundation of Quality Management, with the possibility of defining the relationships and levels of significance of different variables. The primary goal of this paper is to present a developed integrative model to simulate the effects of information and communication technologies, and quality and effects of leadership improvement, as independent variables, on sustainable business excellence in higher education institutions, as a dependent variable. The model was developed by applying dynamic system techniques and evaluated by using statistical methods. In the sample of 17 Serbian and 21 Russian universities, the authors analyzed the information and communication support, leadership and quality, and their impact on sustainable business excellence. According to the simulation analysis, it was concluded that the EFQM model of self-assessment could help produce a more customer-oriented culture in HEIs, through ICT support, leadership and quality criteria enhancements. Full article

Maintenance management is connected with two opposing aspects, management costs and operational efficiency. With the implementation of new technology within the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) concept, new technical solutions are being created. These solutions (mainly robotic workplaces) must reach a maximum performance rate, production quality, and, of course, high availability. Their operation, during the whole life cycle, is expected to be absolutely safe with minimum maintenance costs. These trends, even though they seem to be optimistic, face a lot of problems. The conducted research follows up on the results of previous research aimed at the initial assessment Slovak industrial company readiness status for the I4.0 conception between 2017 and 2019. The aim of the ongoing research was to assess the readiness status in more than 70 industrial organizations in the selected area for the new concept of maintenance management (eMaintenance) and its relation to machinery integrated safety. The research was carried out by questioning, with the structure of individual questions and closed answers stemmed from the self-evaluation according to the new European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model (2020). The results of the research were presented to managements of questioned organizations and confirmed the assumptions about a low level of maintenance management transformation to eMaintenance. Full article

The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) 2020 model is a comprehensive and updated business model that encompasses sustainability and shares features with Industry 4.0, emphasizing transformation and improved organizational performance, yet with different theoretical and practical foundations. This research highlights the EFQM 2020 model’s novelties and its relationships/implications with the Industry 4.0 paradigm, contributing to the Quality 4.0 body of knowledge. Several linkages between the EFQM 2020 model and Industry 4.0 have been identified, namely, at the criteria level and guidance points, which can support successful digital transformation by combining quality and excellence with Industry 4.0. However, given the model’s generic and non-prescriptive nature, there is no specific reference to the nine Industry 4.0 pillars. Additionally, the links between direction and organizational culture and leadership criteria and driving performance and transformation are not evident, which might be a concern for business and technology transformation strategies. Managing knowledge, skills, and capabilities is critical for the successful adoption of Industry 4.0. The EFQM model adds a strategic and technologically unbiased perspective to Industry 4.0, providing an integrated business excellence framework for Quality 4.0. With empirical support of the model application, future research is recommended to develop this subject further. Full article

The cadastral system is a land management and land administration tool to provide a safe and reliable real property registration system. In Ethiopia, however, the attempts to implement a reliable urban cadastral system have not been successful, which translates into a deficient land administration system. This paper is an evaluation of the performance of the urban cadastral system of Addis Ababa, based on the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model. The nine criteria of the model were used as independent and dependent variables. Data were collected through interviews, Likert-type questionnaires, and focus group discussions, and validated with method-to-method technique. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques (ordinal logistics regression model) were employed. In order to ascertain reliability of the data, Cronbach’s alpha reliability test was performed in SPSS, and a coefficient of 0.883 was calculated, confirming that the items (questions) have relatively high internal consistency. According to the statistical result from the independent variables, the people result criteria estimated the achievement of cadastral organization at most (1.724). The societal result predicted with a coefficient of 0.281 less. This indicates that the people criterion determines more importantly than other variables. Overall, the independent variables scored the performance of the cadastral organization 24.92 out of 40 points. Findings from interviews and group discussion also confirmed that the most bottlenecks for the organizational achievement are the strategic plan, quality of leadership, bureaucratic processes, and supply of resources. Therefore, we suggest that the responsible authorities need to pay more attention to the enabler criteria (especially, the design of policy and strategy, quality of leadership, provision of resource and partnership, and the process), in order to improve the achievements of the urban cadastral system organization. Full article

Industrialized construction (IC) as a promising construction mode has been increasingly adopted in China due to its advantages of enhancing productivity and reducing the labor intensiveness in the construction industry. An objective and systematic evaluation of the IC mode is essential by clarifying the current weak areas in application and improving project performance. The meager existing studies have considered evaluating the IC maturity of prefabricated construction projects from the perspective of project governance. This study proposed an industrialized construction maturity model (ICMM) involving organizational enablers by employing the framework of the well-established European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model. The evaluation indicator system consisting of two parts (i.e., “enablers” and “results”) were abstracted by a literature review and expert interviews. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach was used to weight the indicators. The maturity of IC projects was rated as four levels (i.e., initial, upgraded, integrated, and optimal levels). The proposed ICMM was validated by conducting a multi-case study, four typical building projects that adopted prefabricated construction techniques in Shanghai were selected and evaluated by the proposed ICMM. Results showed that the ICMM can objectively and comprehensively realize the status quo of IC projects and help managers to identify weak areas of the current IC projects and performance improvement paths from the perspective of project governance. The ICMM was also evaluated to demonstrate its applicability and reliability through expert interviews. Full article