EMPLOYEE AS A STAKEHOLDER OF AN ORGANIZATION IMPLEMENTING THE EFQM MODEL – MODEL GUIDELINES AND THEIR PRACTICAL USE.

Purpose: The aim of the article is to present theoretical concepts aimed at perceiving employees as stakeholders of the organization, presenting the way this issue is treated in the content of the EFQM Model and illustrating with examples of activities carried out by organizations using this management tool. Design/methodology/approach: The following research methods were used: a review of literature, both Polish and English, analysis of the content of the EFQM Model, examination of documentation submitted for evaluation by three organizations applying for the EFQM distinction based on the most demanding and comprehensive assessment scheme, and observation of processes related to employees in the three mentioned organizations. Findings: Stakeholder theory still applies in today's world, and in the context of organizational needs, treating employees as key stakeholders is of fundamental importance. The EFQM Model is a management tool that precisely describes how to structure relationships with employees in the perspective of criteria, guidelines and the RADAR diagnostic tool. Research limitations/implications: The limitation to generalizing the conclusions formulated in this article is the scope of the literature review and the fact that only three organizations were analyzed. Based on available sources, it was possible to present examples of actions, but it is not possible to draw conclusions about the effectiveness and efficiency of individual types of employee-oriented initiatives. Practical implications: The presented examples of approaches aimed at employees as stakeholders in outstanding organizations may serve as an inspiration to develop this type of activities in any organization. The EFQM model is a tool that promotes the treatment of employees as key stakeholders and additionally provides solutions for both the implementation and evaluation of such activities. Social implications: The well-being of employees in the organization translates into their positive functioning in society. In this context, the application of the presented solutions also has significance beyond the boundaries of the organization. Originality/value: A new element is the presentation of a set of organizational solutions focused on employees in outstanding organizations using the EFQM Model. The article is addressed to human resources managers and top managers who want to improve the level of relations with employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]