EFQM Excellence Model as a TQM framework relative to the MBNQA Model

Total quality management (TQM) is an approach to management characterized by some guiding principles or core concepts that embody the way the organization is expected to operate, which, when effectively linked together, will lead to high performance. Nowadays, large number of organizations uses quality award models, such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model, as a guide to TQM implementation. Nevertheless, the empirical researches confirming whether these models clearly reflect the main premises of TQM are dearth. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the extent to which the EFQM Excellence Model captures the main assumptions involved in the TQM concept, that is, the distinction between technical and social TQM issues, the holistic interpretation of TQM in the firm, and the causal linkage between TQM procedures and organizational performance.By collected responses from managers of 176 Iranian companies by using a structured questionnaire, we find that: (a) social and technical dimensions are imprinted in the model; (b) both dimensions are associated with together; (c) they jointly elevate results. The results of this research support the EFQM Excellence Model as an operational framework for TQM, and also reinforce the results obtained in previous studies for the MBNQA, suggesting that quality award models really are TQM frameworks.

EFQM Excellence Model as a TQM framework relative to the MBNQA Model Keywords:

Total quality management , EFQM Excellence Model , MBNQA , Structural equation models , Empirical research