Thesis (MBA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study project aims at investigating and selecting the most proficient facilitation tools to propel an organisation towards excellence, based on the theory, principles and practices of the South African Business Excellence Foundation Model (SAEM). It focuses on established and documented processes, models and matrices that can serve as a toolkit for organisations to facilitate excellence through simplification of complex business problems and to provide a visual aid when confronted with every day organisational issues. The study shows that the SAEM is structured model and by using it in conjunction with the various models and matrices it provides a solid foundation for facilitating excellence in business. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie identifiseer die modelle en matrikse wat organisasies kan help om 'n vlak van uitmuntendheid te bereik. Die SAEM (South African Excellence Model) word as basis gebruik en die 11 pilare van die SAEM dien as 'n raamwerk vir die ondersoek. Die studie identifiseer slegs die modelle en matrikse wat op deeglike besigheidsbeginsels gegrond is en wat deur erkende navorsers gebruik word om algemene besigheidsprobleme die hoof te bied. Die model en matrikse vereenvoudig die elemente wat vervat is in die SAEM en dien ook as visuele hulpmiddels om sodoende organisasies se strewe na uitmuntendheid te fasiliteer. Die studie toon aan dat die SAEM tesame met die onderskeie modelle en matrikse 'n gestruktueerde benadering bied om organisasies se strewe na uitmuntendheid te fasiliteer.

Only a small number of U.S. businesses have implemented the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence to improve their performance. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that executive business leaders use to implement the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The study population consisted of 6 business executives and 2 organizations in the U.S. state of Texas, all with experience in implementing the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The theory of high performance work systems provided the conceptual framework for the study. Data were gathered from interviews and record reviews that were conducted within the organizations. Inductive analysis was used to identify words, phrases, ideas, and actions that were consistent among participants and organizations as well as to identify patterns and themes. Triangulation of sources between the interview and record review data was used for consistency. Three main themes emerged from data analysis: organizational leaders embedded the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence into native work models; they also used robust strategy deployment systems with accountability for action plans to spread the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence; and, rather than specifically create goals to align with the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, they identified actions to reach organizational strategic goals that were created using the Criteria as a business model. Implications for positive social change arising from this study include the potential to increase the number of available jobs by improving overall organizational performance through the increased implementation and use of the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence among U.S. organizations.

Med globaliseringen har världen snabbt förändrats och designerns roll är inte längre lika självklar. Vi har tittat på hur man kan expandera begreppet design och utnyttja designerns kvalitéer inom nya områden. Magisterexamensarbetet "Design Thinking in Business Innovation" syftar till att undersöka hur man kan utnyttja designyrkets kreativa och innovativa processer inom affärsutveckling. I vårt exjobb har vi jobbat med ett av Storbritanniens ledande vitvaruföretag, GDHA, och har tillsammans med marknadsföringsstudenter från Stockholms Universitet tagit fram affärsstrategier för hur de kan agera på en framtida marknad. Kombinationen av kreativt tänkande och traditionell affärsutveckling genererade nya innovativa koncept med syfte att utifrån företagets förutsättningar stärka dess konkurrenskraft och skapa nya affärsmöjligheter. "Design Thinking in Business Innovation" resulterade i en ny arbetsmetod samt tre koncept som visualiserar resultatet av en kreativ affärsutvecklingsprocess. Dessa koncept sträckte sig från konventionell produktutveckling för differentiering till utveckling av nya försäljningskanaler samt en helt ny affärsidé som bygger vidare på GDHAs kärnverksamhet. Koncepten konkretiserades i form av en modell av ett kylskåpskoncept, samt tre stycken animerade kortfilmer.Som ett resultat av vårt exjobb har vi startat Remotel, ett design kontor som fokuserar på affärsutveckling genom användarorienterad research, kreativa processer och visuell kommunikation (mer info på www.remotel.se). / The world is undergoing change and the disintegration of the old economy is becoming evident. Production is moving to low cost countries and competition is growing fierce. In order to stay competitive, companies around the world recognises the need to become more innovative. In order to achieve this it is imperative to balance and compliment the linear business thinking that still rule the managerial body. Leading research in this area suggest that the key to innovation in business development lies within the creative thinking of the design field. This paper describes a joint master degree project that seeks to test these theories and develop methods and protocols to put them into practice. So the question is, what happens when one use industrial  design as a tool to innovate business in the Creative Economy? The research group consists of four industrial designers from Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm and four marketing students from School of Business, Stockholm University. During the project we applied action research and introspection in a case study where new business strategies where formulated for a live company as our empirical base. The process proved more difficult but also more rewarding than initially anticipated and resulted in several new potential strategies for the company while providing valuable insight and experience in interdisciplinary team work in this field. This paper presents suggestions to how design thinking and business thinking can be combined in the process of developing business strategies and accentuates some of the skills and qualities that inherently drive this process. The collaboration investigates the synergy between designers and business managers and illustrates the potential in combining these competences to find new ways to create, re-define and develop businesses in the creative economy.

Submitted by Joana Azevedo (joanad@id.uff.br) on 2017-11-16T12:18:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert Sirley Camilo da Silva.pdf: 3193516 bytes, checksum: 493f52667ba8c212e8d599310f6af084 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Biblioteca da Escola de Engenharia (bee@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-11-16T14:23:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert Sirley Camilo da Silva.pdf: 3193516 bytes, checksum: 493f52667ba8c212e8d599310f6af084 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-16T14:23:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert Sirley Camilo da Silva.pdf: 3193516 bytes, checksum: 493f52667ba8c212e8d599310f6af084 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-22 / Atualmente no Brasil, excelência e gestão são pilares de competitividade e sobrevivência das organizações. Considerando a realidade das Instituições de Ensino Superior que possuem uma alta regulamentação do Governo Federal com exigência na sua qualidade de ensino, a concorrência e a demanda de vagas advindas do Financiamento Estudantil (FIES) e a pressão na redução das mensalidades, bem como a necessidade de melhorar os processos e serviços vem aumentando. A Instituição objeto desta pesquisa é o Grupo Estácio, uma das maiores Instituições de Ensino Superior Privado do Brasil, com mais de 90 unidades espalhadas em 20 estados da federação e Distrito Federal, cujo objetivo desta pesquisa é verificar a viabilidade da implantação de um Programa de Excelência em Gestão a partir dos resultados avaliados no Grupo. Com o uso de bases de pesquisa relevantes no meio acadêmico, como WEB OF SCIENCE, SCOPUS, SCIELO e Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Através de um estudo de caso e uma pesquisa documental, utilizando dados secundários obtidos do Sistema Interno da Estácio, chamado Sistema de Suporte ao Programa de Excelência em Gestão (SISPEG) entre os anos de 2012 e 2016, foi constatada uma evolução positiva nos principais indicadores da Instituição em relação às partes interessadas (Alunos, Colaboradores, Governo e Acionistas), que foram impactados pelos processos considerados na implantação do Modelo de Excelência em Gestão customizado para o Grupo. Como contribuição, este trabalho possibilita à comunidade científica, acesso a um estudo aprofundado sobre a Gestão da Qualidade Total (GQT) e compreensão de sua relação com os modelos de prêmios de excelência que surgiram ao redor do mundo bem como os Fatores Críticos de Sucesso para sua implementação, customização e a viabilidade de implantação em um Instituição de Ensino Superior. / Currently in Brazil, excellence and management are pillars of competitiveness and survival of organizations. Considering the reality of Higher Education Institutions that have a high Federal Government regulation with a requirement in their quality of education, competition and the demand for vacancies from Student Funding (FIES) and the pressure to reduce tuition fees, as well as the need Processes and services has been increasing. The Institution object of this research is the Estácio Group, one of the largest Private Higher Education Institutions in Brazil, with more than 90 units spread across 20 states of the federation and Federal District, where the central question of this research is to verify the viabibility of implementing a Program of Excellence in Management based on the results evaluated in the Group. With the use of relevant research bases in the academic environment, such as WEB OF SCIENCE, SCOPUS, SCIELO and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Through a case study and documentary research, using secondary data obtained from the Estácio Internal System, called the System of Support to the Program of Excellence in Management (SISPEG) between the years of 2012 and 2016, there was a positive evolution in the main indicators Of the Institution in relation to the Stakeholders (Students, Employees, Government and Shareholders), who were impacted by the processes considered in the implementation of the Business Excellence Model customized for the Group. As a contribution, this work provides the scientific community with access to an in-depth study on Total Quality Management (TQM) and an understanding of its relationship with the excellence awards models that have emerged around the world as well as the Critical Success Factors for Its implementation, customization and the feasibility of implantation in an Higher Education Institution.

Det primära syftet med studien var att undersöka hur ett medelstort företag upplever självutvärderingsverktyget språngbrädan. Syftet var också att bidra med kunskap om forskningsläget kring språngbrädan. En mixad metod användes där datainsamlingen genomfördes genom en enkät på ett urval av företaget. Första delen av enkäten utgjorde en lättversion av språngbrädan som användes för självutvärdering av verksamheten, därigenom fick respondenterna uppleva verktyget. Andra delen av enkäten utgjorde en utvärdering av hur språngbrädan upplevs, med både skalfrågor och öppna frågor. Resultatet visar att en övervägande del är positiva till språngbrädan och kan tänka sig fortsätta använda verktyget. En övervägande del är neutrala i frågan huruvida språngbrädan behöver utvecklas och anpassas efter den egna verksamheten, och huruvida det finns fördelar och nackdelar. Resultatet visar också att språngbrädan är väldigt outforskat där endast en vetenskaplig artikel identifierades. Slutsatsen är att det behövs fler studier där deltagarna informeras om arbetssättet självutvärdering / The primary purpose of the study was to investigate how a medium-sized company experiences the self-assessment tool - the springboard. The purpose was also to contribute with knowledge about the research that has been conducted on the springboard. A mixed method was used where the data collection was conducted on a sample of the company's operations through a survey. The first part of the survey constituted a light version of the springboard that was used for self-assessment of the business, thereby letting the respondents experience the tool. The second part of the survey was an evaluation of how the tool is experienced, with both rating questions and open questions. The result shows that the majority is positive to the springboard and can imagine continuing to use the tool. A majority is neutral to the question of whether the springboard needs to be developed and adapted to its own business, and whether there are advantages and disadvantages. The result also shows that the springboard is very unexplored where only one scientific article was identified. The conclusion is that more studies are needed, where the participants are informed about the method of self-assessment and about the tool prior to the study, in order to obtain more comprehensive data. / <p>2019-06-27</p>

Σκοπός της διατριβής είναι η ανάπτυξη ενός δυναμικού συστήματος επιχειρηματικής αρίστευσης το οποίο μπορεί να εφαρμοστεί σε οποιοδήποτε περιβάλλον (γεωγραφικό, κλαδικό, οικονομικό) υιοθετώντας τις αρχές της Ποιότητας, της Συστημικής Προσέγγισης και των Δυναμικών Συστημάτων. Ως μελέτες περίπτωσης δίνεται η ανάπτυξη του Ελληνικού Μοντέλου Επιχειρηματικής Αρίστευσης και ενός κλαδικού μοντέλου στις Τηλεπικοινωνίες. / The aim of the dissertation is the development of an integrated system of business excellence which can be applied to any environment (geographical, sector and economical) by adopting Quality Management priciples, Systemic Approach and System Dynamics. Case studies have been developed for both the Hellenic Business Excellence framework and the Telecommications sector.

<p>Nonetheless IT sector is considered as highly competitive Belarus is listed in the top five, while also be-ing in the transitional stage. Thus, this thesis examined the tendencies of the quality management in Bel-arus IT industry. TQM, commonly used control system – ISO, and Business Excellence Models – Mal-colm Baldrige National Quality Award (MNBQA) and European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) were used as the basis for our research. The main premise for the research is that it is not nec-essary to excel in all concepts of TQM, where ISO was used as the primary step towards total quality.</p><p>Hence it was deduced that quality in the collected sample differs among the concepts. Even though the main concept of customer satisfaction is acknowledged, the human factor is still undervalued. This might also be the flaw hinged by ISO. However, further research could be done, covering bigger sample and observing the shift of these tendencies.</p><p>Key words: Total Quality Management (TQM), Interantional Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), Business Excellence Model (BEM), IT, Belarus, transitional economy, tendencies, Leadership, Strategy, Human Resources, Culture, Infrastructure</p><p>iii</p>

Nonetheless IT sector is considered as highly competitive Belarus is listed in the top five, while also be-ing in the transitional stage. Thus, this thesis examined the tendencies of the quality management in Bel-arus IT industry. TQM, commonly used control system – ISO, and Business Excellence Models – Mal-colm Baldrige National Quality Award (MNBQA) and European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) were used as the basis for our research. The main premise for the research is that it is not nec-essary to excel in all concepts of TQM, where ISO was used as the primary step towards total quality. Hence it was deduced that quality in the collected sample differs among the concepts. Even though the main concept of customer satisfaction is acknowledged, the human factor is still undervalued. This might also be the flaw hinged by ISO. However, further research could be done, covering bigger sample and observing the shift of these tendencies. Key words: Total Quality Management (TQM), Interantional Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), Business Excellence Model (BEM), IT, Belarus, transitional economy, tendencies, Leadership, Strategy, Human Resources, Culture, Infrastructure iii

At frequent intervals, new reports and papers are published stressing the importance of high quality and quality improvement measures in the public and private sector if Sweden is to survive as a welfare state and industrial nation. The situation seems not to be unique for Sweden: similar opinions can be heard in other parts of the world as well. In the 21st century, consumers and citizens should be provided with continuously improved quality at a lower cost, otherwise businesses are likely to go bankrupt and politicians may lose the trust of the people. Quality is, thus, a word that is used persistently by people in power and the social commentators of today. From this perspective, it might seem fitting that quality, quality management (QM), total quality management (TQM) and other closely related terminologies are well defined, to make possible constructive dialogue that will culminate in effective action. This is often not the case, which is why vision statements, campaigns and other quality improvement measures risk falling short before they are even launched. With this background, the purpose of this thesis is to facilitate fruitful dialogue by examining QM-research and how trends, terminologies and research focus have shifted over time. By increasing the understanding of how QM-research has evolved it is also possible to create a coherent overview which hopefully can help to reduce confusion and polarisation amongst scholars and practitioners. In this way, it might be possible to increase the number of successful quality improvement measures as well as to lay the foundations for sustainable and system-wide quality improvement actions in society at large. The thesis is based on three studies, of which the first is looking into conference proceedings from one of the globally most prominent scientific conferences on quality – the QMOD-ICQSS conference. The two subsequent studies use abstracts from three of the top ranked scientific journals dealing with quality - International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Total Quality Management Journal and Total Quality Management &amp; Business Excellence. All studies have been conducted according to text mining methodology, which entails usage of statistical tools in the form of hard- and software for data collection, modelling and analysis. The approach is exploratory and previously not verified with this purpose, which is why the three studies offer unique perspectives on the research field, at the same time as new methodological tools and approaches are investigated and tested. Through the studies it is possible to show occurrence of trends in research alignment as well as in publication design and popularity. The studies also identify central, perpetual, topics around which the research has been concentrated. These topics indicate that the research field, in spite of momentary trends and fashions, rests on a firm foundation regarding problem definition and approaches to solve them. Finally, a model is presented which summarizes the perspectives and outsets which distinguish QM and make it a research field in its own right. / Regelbundet publiceras det nya rapporter och artiklar där vikten av hög kvalitet liksom kvalitetsförbättrande åtgärder inom offentlig och privat sektor lyfts fram som oumbärliga för att Sverige ska överleva som välfärds- och näringslivsnation. Situationen tycks inte vara unik för Sverige, likande tongångar hörs även i andra delar av världen. På 2000-talet ska konsumenter och medborgare tillhandahållas ständigt förbättrad kvalitet till lägre kostnad, annars går företag i konkurs och politiska företrädare förlorar folkets förtroende. Kvalitet är alltså ett ord som används flitigt av dagens makthavare och samhällsdebattörer. Utifrån detta perspektiv kan det anses angeläget att kvalitet, kvalitetsutveckling, kvalitetsarbete och andra närbesläktade ord är väl definierade för att möjliggöra konstruktiv dialog som mynnar ut i verkningsfulla insatser. Så är dock ofta inte fallet - varför visioner, kampanjer och andra kvalitetsförbättrande initiativ riskerar att faller till korta innan de ens hunnit lanseras. Med denna bakgrund, är syftet med avhandlingen att underlätta givande diskussioner genom att närmare belysa forskningsfältet kvalitetsteknik, eller Quality Management (QM), och hur trender, termer och forskningsfokus har växlat över tid. Genom att öka förståelsen för forskningens utveckling över tid kan även en sammanhängande översikt skapas, vilka tillsammans förhoppningsvis kan bidra till att minska den förvirring och polarisering som råder både inom akademi liksom praktik. Därigenom kanske det är möjligt att öka mängden lyckade kvalitetssatsningar liksom att lägga grunden för ett långsiktigt hållbart och systemövergripande kvalitetsarbete i samhället i överlag. Avhandlingen baseras på tre studier, varav den första har tittat närmare på konferensbidrag från en av världens idag ledande forskningskonferenser om kvalitet – QMOD-ICQSS konferensen. De två senare studierna behandlar sammanfattningar från tre av de högst rankade forskningstidskrifterna med fokus på kvalitet – International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Total Quality Management Journal och Total Quality Management &amp; Business Excellence. Samtliga studier har utformats enligt text-mining metodik, vilket medför att statistiska hjälpmedel i form av hård och mjukvara har använts för datainsamling, modellering och analys. Angreppssättet är explorativt och tidigare ej beprövat i ovanstående syfte varför de tre studierna erbjuder unika perspektiv på forskningsområdet samtidigt som nya metodologiska verktyg och arbetssätt utforskats och utvärderats. Genom studierna går det att påvisa förekomsten av trender i forskningsinriktningar liksom i publikationernas utformning och popularitet. Studierna identifierar även centrala, återkommande teman kring vilka forskningen koncentrerats. Dessa teman indikerar att forskningsområdet, trots tillfälliga trender och moden, vilar på en stadigvarande grund gällande problemformuleringar och ansatser att lösa dessa. Slutligen presenteras en modell som sammanfattar de perspektiv och utgångspunkter som utmärker kvalitetstekniken (QM) och som gör det till ett forskningsområde i sin egen rätt. / <p>Vid tidpunkten för framläggandet av avhandlingen var följande delarbeten opublicerade: delarbete B accepterat för publicering och delarbete C inskickat.</p><p>At the time of the licentiate defence the following papers were unpublished: paper B accepted for publication and paper C submitted.</p>

The goal of this diploma thesis is to analyze the customer satisfaction with services and products the company Agrotec a.s - agricultural division and propose the processes and instructions for its improvement, including financial, organizational and conductive aspects. The theoretical part is focused on costumer, his development from the first purchase, fulfilling his needs, his satisfaction and the methods for its evaluation. The practical part is describing company; where, in which way and with what results was the costumer satisfaction survey made. These indicators are shown in tables and graphs. Further the thesis continues by final evaluation of the costumer satisfaction survey and finishes by improvement proposals chapter.