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Flexibilities are involved in the process of decision-making. They offer much freedom of choice in terms of the selection of suitable actors who interact with the dynamic environment of the organization. This paper presents a systematic and holistic approach to ranking key actors responsible for the business excellence of an organization. The study highlights the area where the actors of the organization should focus on achieving desired business excellence. It portrays the outcome in the form that top management is the most influential actor since it is responsible for the formulation of the vision/mission of the organization along with the setting of plant quality targets, cost-saving targets, manpower planning, and policy formulation for energy-saving. Top management is followed by cross-function teams (CFTs) and the government of India (GOI) in terms of interaction with the various processes. The novelty of this case study is that it utilizes qualitative and interpretive tools for the analysis, which does not require much statistical knowledge to produce outcomes, and the results are easy to understand. The reported results are in consensus with the results reported by various studies that are conducted using quantitative tools like Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), total interpretive structural modelling (TISM), etc. that require statistical excellence for the calculation, interpretation, and dissemination of results to the general public and shopfloor employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, many researchers and practitioners have believed that reaching a high level of business excellence leads to the continuous realization of a set of business goals. In the literature, a vast number of models for business excellence evaluation that contain different criteria depending on the cultural, technological, organizational, and socio-economic factors can be found. The aims of the proposed fuzzy two-stage model are to address some of the main shortcomings of the EFQM2020 model and to adapt it to the needs of process manufacturing. The relative importance of quality criteria and their values are presented by pre-defined linguistic expressions modeled by the triangular fuzzy numbers. The determination of the weight vector of criteria is stated as a fuzzy group decision-making problem and determined by using the fuzzy best-worst method. The proposed fuzzy multi-objective optimization by ratio analysis is implemented for determining the rank of enterprises. The management initiatives that should lead to the improvement of business excellence should be based on the business practices of enterprises that are highly placed in the rank. Testing and verification of the proposed model are performed on real data originating from enterprises operating in the same economic sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research uses an inductive inference approach supported by a literature study and deductive reasoning supported by a case study method. This article is based on a comprehensive literature review which was a foundation for preparation a planned research in organizations implementing the EFQM 2020 Model in order to build a strategy for sustainable development and energy conservation. EFQM is an abbreviation for the name of the European Foundation for Quality Management, a member organization associating entities interested in building lasting value and respecting the ethical principles of running a business. EFQM is headquartered in Brussels, and the partners operate in dozens of countries around the world. The case study methodology is used to present a strategic approach to environmental protection and energy conservation in terms of the EFQM 2020 Model guidelines on the example of an international manufacturing company. The main area of activity is the automotive industry, which is positioned as an innovative leader. The assessment was performed in one of the departments specializing in safety elements—elements of the braking system in the car. This business unit has many plants with different locations around the world. The results of the research show that environmental protection and efficient energy consumption are an important element of the company's strategy. These activities permeate all areas of activity and are reflected in the implementation of management systems and tools aimed at environmental protection. A detailed analysis of the criteria and guidelines of the EFQM 2020 Model showed that each criterion includes guidelines for environmental protection and energy saving measures. Based on the analysis of the researched organization, we can conclude that the conduct in accordance with the guidelines of the EFQM 2020 Model translates into the achievement of measurable, positive results, also in the environmental area, which was the axis of consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EFQM recognition system is an acknowledged method of assessing business excellence understood as the degree of implementation of quality management in an organization. The paper aims to examine whether a high rating under the EFQM recognition system simultaneously means a high general management maturity level. The investigation covers the 35 organizations that won EFQM awards in Portugal. The study is based on points awarded to organizations under the EFQM recognition system and on questionnaires/interviews with managers responsible for quality management in the studied organizations. The results indicate a positive and robust correlation between the quality management implementation (rating under the EFQM recognition system) and general management maturity. The study helps to close the gap in the literature regarding the relationship between quality management and management maturity in an organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management processes in an organization involve decision-making based on many criteria (MCDM), and in this process ranking of variables plays a vital role. This paper presents the analysis of key business issues of an Indian automotive organization using an efficient interpretive ranking (eIRP) approach. This paper integrates the Situation-Actor-Process (SAP) and Learning-Action-Performance (LAP) framework of the organization with eIRP. It evaluates the ranking of actions to be carried out in an organization with respect to performance parameters. The study highlights the area where the organization should focus on achieving desired business excellence. From the analysis, it is revealed that the top-ranked suggested action for the organization is the adoption of energy policy as a core business policy followed by technology management, maintenance management, and the use of information technology for cost management. This case study is one of the few that uses the SAP-LAP framework for ranking the actors and actions of the organization using the eIRP approach, to make MCDM an easy task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article proves that at the present stage of economic development the agro-industrial sector of Ukraine is one of the most important sectors of the domestic economy. Taking into account the integration processes, agribusiness increases the volume of innovation, as it operates in conditions of high energy analysis methods, mysterious processing methods, small technological research methods. In the course of the study, it was determined that we observe a tendency to a gradual decline of domestic agriculture. It was found that important for agribusiness, which let’s use synergistic factors of agricultural enterprises external environment forms and use dynamic opportunities of industrial agriproduct’s in Ukraine. The proposed use of scientific and methodological tools for business excellence evaluation within agricultural enterprises on the basis key indicators of importance, with market features duality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Business subjects in higher education are critical for solving today's global business challenges, but the curricula of such subjects must be designed with a focus on constructive alignment. This study aimed to introduce the application of constructive alignment in business subjects. The study provides a lens for understanding the various opportunities to achieve constructive alignment in a subject in order to ensure the curriculum meets the quality standards of institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Setting up business excellence as the primary business objective forces companies to seek new ways and models to measure performance. The new and modern performance measurement models need to make a balance among multiple criteria to form a unique and complementary view of the company business performance. This paper presents one of them, known as Kanji’s Business Excellence Measurement System (KBEMS), from several business aspects. As a modern, strategic, multidimensional, and, above all, integrated model for measuring and managing performance, this model integrates both internal and external stakeholders and internal and external processes in order to improve company performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excellence models provide a framework for understanding which levers we need to pull to achieve the results we want. EFQM business model is one of the models which deal with the assessment of the performance of an organization. The EFQM excellence model has a critical effect on the success, and competitiveness of Czech enterprises. The paper focuses on the EFQM business excellence models. The objective of this paper is to determine the level of knowledge of the EFQM excellence model by Czech enterprises. The study based on primary data collected from a recent survey of 210 Czech enterprises. The paper based on data collected in interviews with managers and founders of Czech enterprises. The enterprises included in the study are those enterprises that are incorporated in the Czech Republic. A total of 210 enterprises participated in the study, and the main primary data collection instrument was a questionnaire-interview. The findings of the statistical analysis show the influence of selected internal variables on the knowledge of the EFQM excellence model. Results of the research study confirm that level of knowledge of the EFQM excellence model in Czech enterprises is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the process of managing records in the context of business or organizational excellence as a desired management concept in contemporary organizations' business. Assuming that most of business functions, processes and associated activities result in records creation, and that these records are needed for their carrying out, it is considered that excellent records management is one of the bases of performing every other business function and process. The paper tries to show how excellent records management, as a support (secondary) process, influences the optimization and rationalization of organization's business as a whole. In the context of Porter's generic strategies and information ecology, it examines records management as a part of organization's unique value chain, and shows how costs of records management, adjusted to (match) business's real needs, can lower the costs of organization's products and services, i.e. increase its profit and net worth. It elaborates on three internal policies that every organization is advised to create (some organizations are bound to do so by law) and which are considered important prerequisites for maintaining excellent records management: internal records management policy, classification scheme, and disposition schedule. Since they hold information on types, methods and performance of particular records management activities, these three policies are examined as integral parts of quality assurance system documentation. Emphasis is put on positive outcomes of their implementation when it comes to records management and maintaining quality assurance goals, as well as conducting organization's business functions and processes. In terms of the given context, the paper is not limited to a particular type of organization (e.g. categorized creators and custodians under state archives' supervision, organizations subject to Regulation on Records Management) and its recommendations are considered to be applicable in every organization that maintains or aims to maintain business or organizational excellence. All these organizations, whose goal is maintaining excellent records management process, are encouraged to benchmark the process internally and externally, and to implement policies within current normative framework that regulates records management, regardless of being subjected to these policies or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EFQM business excellence model contains nine criteria by which management of enterprises may conduct self-evaluation to identify the level of business quality in order to achieve business excellence. These criteria also form the basis for evaluating business excellence of enterprises in the process of rewarding quality. This paper is based on theoretical and empirical research aimed at identifying the usefulness of the EFQM model. Through results of empirical research, the paper presents the state of small and mediumsized enterprises in the Republic of Serbia from the perspective of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model. We measured the level of quality of business excellence elements in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Serbia according to the methodology of the European Foundation for Quality Management and conducted an analysis of results for each of the nine elements. Subsequently, we gave further recommendations for managers. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate to the scientific and professional community the insufficient level of business excellence model implementation and the need for disseminating information about the EFQM model, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the relationships between business processes and risk in a unique company management system under conditions of uncertainty. Business processes include the well-known operational processes and to them directly related traditional management processes. However, in a dynamic, complex, and discontinuous business environment, a company cannot achieve business excellence that is necessary for it to gain and maintain competitive advantage. Therefore, management processes need to get a wider dimension and include management processes that precede the traditional management processes and factual operational processes, i.e. management processes at the company design and formation stage. These are the management processes of acquiring stakeholders, and creating a market model and a business model, which provide a framework for successful operational processes and traditional management processes. Identification of risk factors and establishment of risk management in these management processes are crucial for the overall business excellence of modern companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent years the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and EFQM Excellence Model (EFQM) became very popular performance management (PMM) models. However, many studies showed their flaws, especially in communicating, integrating and aligning Key Performance Indicators (KPI) with strategy, setting targets and conducting benchmarking. BSC or EFQM have always been used alone and regarded as exclusive PMM tools. In contrast, this study introduces a novel PMM framework that relies on the strengths of both BSC and EFQM. The framework uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to connect these two models. At first, AHP is used for setting priorities among competitive strategic objectives and afterwards for selecting KPIs against SMARTER (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Encouraging and Rewarding) criteria. By verifying the framework on the construction industry we discovered that companies can integrate EFQM and BSC to conduct benchmarking, identify best practice, align strategy with the competitive surroundings and selecting strategy aligned KPIs. Using this framework, construction companies can thus achieve strategic control that otherwise by just using BSC could not be achieved. These findings are important because they bring a new perspective on managing organizations and confront many authors who have put EFQM and BSC against each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the work presented in this paper was to identify predictors of excellence from the employee's point of view (EPV) in a medical center. To do so, a questionnaire with 84 items was designed and applied to a 115 employees of the center. Reduction of scale using Alpha Cronbach test and factors analysis was done and multiple regression analysis to identify the factors significance on the EPV was also used. A reliable and valid scale was achieved with 23 of the items, composed by six factors that explained 77% of the total variance. In the case of study, three of the factors were significant in the regression analysis, in which the model passing through the origin explained a 98.8% of the EPV: director's leadership (34.8%), medical technology (35.4%) and deployment of the training processes (29.8%). The other factors were: nonmedical resources, social support and human resources management. The proposed model offers possibilities to be used in other contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, sixteen Serbian dairy companies representing the Serbian dairy industry were analysed using the BEX model in period 2007-2009. The results were compared to selected companies which represent the Serbian market through BELEX15 and BELEXline indices, indices of the Belgrade Stock Exchange. Research shows that the dairy industry is more profitable than the market average represented by the indices of Belgrade Stock Exchange. The profitability of dairies was analyzed from the sales structure and distribution channels point of view. This paper shows that, according to selected Business Excellence Model, dairy industry in Serbia was, and still is, in better shape than Serbian market in general, which makes it interesting not only for domestic, but also for foreign investors. Despite the crisis and lack of organisation in raw milk buyout, improvements in core-business have been made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TQM is the approach for improvement of competitiveness, efficiency and flexibility of the entire company. It is the necessary mode of planning, organizing and understanding of each activity, depending upon each individual at each level in the company. The paper presents experience in implementation of Standard series ISO 9000ff, 14000ff and 17000ff to TQM in the automobile service center. The research was conducted in the company that possesses ISO certificates. Presented was the possibility of TQM implementation in the company. TQM in service centers can be observed as an opportunity for fundamental improvement of business functions and processes within the service, with the purpose of providing services and improving business results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a Business Excellence Model development guide with specific reference to the hospitality industry. It demonstrates the application of the proposed methodology in selected Greek luxury hotels. Results draw from a two-stage survey, which encompassed a large number of Greek luxury hotels in cooperation with hotel managers. The first stage was administered to 20 hotel managers and was geared toward defining the study instrument. Second stage was addressed to 80 hotel managers and was based on the instrument defined during the first stage. A linear programming model was created in order to estimate criterion and sub-criterion weight values using second-stage survey responses. Results showed that the proposed methodology is effective and that it incorporates all appropriate steps necessary to develop a sector-oriented business excellence model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts on shipbuilding which include cutter section dredger, lightship weight, and sandwich panels for car deck structure.

Bertalanffian systemic thinking attacks over-specialization and tries to teach humans how to attain holism for humankind to survive. Indirect ways may support this crucial intention better, including business excellence, which enjoys the support of, for example, the European Quality Award (EFQM/EQA). But in some industries, such as public utilities working on waste problems, market and EFQM/EQA do not support systemic thinking well enough. The new model presented herein has been evolving for over ten years and has proven successful in practice in the public utility companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New product development is an important business process and constitutes a major contributor to the business excellence of any manufacturing firm. Designing an optimized new product development process is an important problem in itself and is of significant practical and research interest. Lead time is an important performance metric for a product development organization. We develop lead time models for product development organizations that involve multiple, concurrent projects with contention for human/technical resources. The objective is to explore how the lead times call be reduced using efficient scheduling, input control, load balancing, and variability reduction. The models are based on single class and multiclass queueing networks and capture important facets of a product development organization. Within the new product development process, we focus attention on the product design process. Two product design organizations, which we call Company ABC and Company XYZ, provide the real-world setting for our model-based lead time reduction. First, we present a coarse, conceptual queueing network model of Company ABC and show how rapid performance analysis can be used to explore opportunities for accelerating the design process. In particular, we show how effective input control, process control, load balancing, and cross-functional work can cut the lead times. Next, we present multiclass queueing network models for both the companies ABC and XYZ. The re-entrant line models show up certain scheduling issues pertaining to internal flows in the product design network. Using a class of fluctuation smoothing scheduling policies, we demonstrate how lead times can be reduced appreciably, without committing additional resources. The models presented are sufficiently generic and conceptual, and will be of much value in project planning and management in product design organizations and also more generally in product development organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Achieving sustainability in constant development in every area in today's modern business has become a challenge on the one hand, and an imperative on the other. If the aspect of business excellence achievement is also added to it, the complexity of the system increases significantly, and it is necessary to model a system considering several parameters and satisfying the multi-criteria function. This paper develops a novel integrated model that involves the application of a subjective-objective model in order to achieve business sustainability and excellence. The model consists of fuzzy PIPRECIA (fuzzy pivot pairwise relative criteria importance Assessment) as a subjective method, CRITIC (criteria importance through intercriteria correlation) and I-distance method as objective methods. The goal is to take the advantages of these approaches and allow for more accurate and balanced (symmetric) decision-making through their integration. The integrated subjective-objective model has been applied in a narrow geographical area to consider and evaluate banks as a significant factor in improving the social aspect of sustainability. An additional contribution of the paper is a critical overview of multi-criteria problems in which the levels of the hierarchical structure contain a different (asymmetric) number of elements. A specific example has also been used to prove that only a hierarchical structure with an equal number of lower-level elements provides precise weights of criteria in accordance with the preferences of decision-makers referring to subjective models. The results obtained are verified throughout the calculation of Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients, and throughout a sensitivity analysis involving a dynamic reverse rank matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total quality management is dynamic concept of continuous improvements generating internal changes as an answer to fast external changes. The final goal of total quality management realizes excellence, based upon the best practice and results. The important element encouraging shipyard as complex organisation to assessment it self-evaluation EFQM Excellence Model. By means of evaluation shipyard can obtain clear knowledge of characteristic value as well as fields that can carry through improvement. Self-evaluation according EFQM Excellence Model is affirmative and constructive approach for focussing as well as advance settings in continuous improvements and the measurement method of progress accomplishment. Method is oriented according to continuous improvements of current solutions, competitive increase and long-term results. Using EFQM method as objective evaluation, it is possible to recognize a chance for the improvement and achieving of the wanted level of business excellence. In this paper we have presented the results of case study application EFQM model in the shipyard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]