The authors address the failure of companies to reach a sufficiently mature stage of quality required to be truly competitive and to exhibit the characteristics of so‐called “excellent companies”. The authors set out to answer some hard questions identified during their research: for...

Provides empirical support for TQM reviewing and improvement. Evaluates 190 companies’ performance that have or have not used TQM in Japan. Cross‐sectional survey methodology is employed. Thus, seven categories with 80 key elements regarding American MBNQA and ten equations are examined. The...

This paper analyses the differences between private and public sector organisations in Denmark in relation to the penetration of holistic management models, how companies achieve excellent results and the empirical weight structure of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM)...

One way for organisations to support total quality management, and hence try to increase customer satisfaction is to participate in a quality award process. The purpose of this study is to explore the organisational value of participating in a quality award process. The study is based on...

The use of self‐assessment as a basis for evaluating progress with and achievement through total quality is increasing and like many initiatives there are some basic principles for success. Looks at the use of the EFQM Model as framework, outlines a self‐assessment process together with some...

Workers can pinpoint defects better and faster than the auditor, sometimes even before they occur. To ensure a regular flow of products, the worker’s quality of workmanship must be very high. Integrated manufacturing self‐control restores job satisfaction. Determines the worker performance...

Based on a recent European Committee‐sponsored survey on quality management self‐assessment. Outlines research methodology and main findings. Details reasons for self‐assessment in companies and methods of self‐assessment, and discusses whether or not self‐assessment is worthwhile....

Self‐assessment using the Business Excellence Model has been in place in Europe since 1990 as a means of obtaining competitive advantage. Describes the history, design and application of the model and self‐assessment in the context of the desire of all organizations to strive for excellence....