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...

There is currently little published information about the use of total quality (TQ)‐based self‐assessment in the UK despite the increasing interest in the subject. Discusses the findings of a survey into the practice and benefits of self‐assessment to recognized models such as the European...

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....

Discusses the way in which the business excellence model is being presented to small companies. Compares success of the model as a basis for self‐assessment in large organizations against lack of interest from the small business sector. Suggests reasons such as poor marketing, inappropriate...

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...

Regarding preventive quality management, Germany was lagging behind for many years. Managers relied on the famous mark “Made in Germany” for too long. They did not realize that international competition had tightened. However, times have changed. Starting with the boom in ISO certifications,...

Aims to provide a theoretical basis for, and overview of, self‐evaluation as a beneficial practice. Discusses six issues: (1) types of entrepreneurial organizations and metaphors which may be used to think about them; (2) how self‐evaluation is usefully seen as a learning process; (3) common...

Highlights the general inattention to human development in marketing research and practice, especially in research and marketing concerned with older consumers. Describes a new approach to marketing based on human development.