Open AccessA STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFQM MODEL: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PROCESS MANAGEMENT
Author(s) -
Eva Suárez,
José L. Roldán,
Arturo CalvoMora
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of business economics and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1611-1699
pISSN - 2029-4433
DOI - 10.3846/16111699.2013.776627
Subject(s) - structural equation modeling , process management , total quality management , excellence , soundness , process (computing) , quality management , business , measure (data warehouse) , sample (material) , quality management system , quality (philosophy) , computer science , operations management , knowledge management , management system , engineering , marketing , data mining , lean manufacturing , philosophy , chemistry , chromatography , epistemology , machine learning , political science , law , programming language , operating system
The purpose of this paper is to research how the critical total quality management (TQM) factors present in the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model make up a management system. This article presents a significant contribution to the current body of TQM by establishing the model's internal working structure as a management system and also by showing how the way in which the organization designs and starts up this system has a bearing on its results. The methodology used is structural equation modeling (Partial Least Squares technique). The sample consisted of 116 firms. Our findings show that: (1) the EFQM model is a reliable and valid framework to measure the results achieved by the firm; (2) The synergies between the critical factors make up a management system, especially, the importance of leadership, strategy and processes for the system's effectiveness and soundness; (3) The obtaining of a measure of the overall results. This allows us to have an overall indicator of the level of excellence attained by the firm; (4) The process management fully mediates the influence of strategy, and alliances and resources management respectively on overall results.