Application of the EFQM Model in the Education Institution for Driving Improvement of Processes towards Sustainability

Abstract

Effective process management is a basic prerequisite for increasing the quality and performance of educational organizations. The aim of the paper is to point out the potential for the application of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Model 2020 to improve and perfect the processes in a Slovakian vocational school towards sustainability. We used the latest version of the EFQM Model and applied the questionnaire method to conduct a self-assessment. A study of the documentation was also carried out to get more insight into the processes of the school. The application of the EFQM Model 2020 pointed out weaknesses in areas such as those titled Organizational Culture, Driving Performance & Transformation, and Stakeholder Perceptions—namely, the perceptions of employees and partners. Improvements were primarily recommended in the fields of culture management to support changes, motivational processes to support creativity and innovation, human resource planning processes, employee training and development, performance indicators and performance management, and employees’ and partners’ perception measurement to enhance sustainable value for the students and key stakeholders. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of quality and performance management of Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers.

A Proposed Vision For Developing Institutional Performance In Arab Universities Appropriating The Standards Of The European Foundation For Quality Management (EFQM)

“…It is also consistent with the results of the studies of (Faraj, 2020; Abdel Fattah, 2020; Al-Anzi, 2020), which concluded that the level of commitment and application of the leadership standard was also medium. This result differs from the results of the study (Sütoová et al, 2022), which found a weakness in the organizational culture standard. Also, item (6) stipulating "The university develops plans to develop its administrative leadership based on evaluation indicators" is ranked first to emphasize that universities develop plans to develop their administrative leadership based on evaluation indicators.…”

“…Moreover, this result differs from the results of the study (Sütoová et al, 2022), which found a weakness in the criterion of stakeholder perceptions. The arithmetic means and standard deviations for the sample members' point of view ranged between (3.895) and (2.919), which is between high and medium.…”

“…However, this result differs from the results of the study (Sütoová et al, 2022), which found a weakness in the standard of performance leadership and transformation in the organization sampled by the study. The most prominent items express that universities have set clear and explicit standards to measure the performance of employees, and are also keen to develop the performance of their human resources through developing skills and expertise.…”

“…The findings also show that a weakness in the level of support provided to employees, a lack of specialized training courses, and a lack of qualified personnel to achieve the requirements of institutional excellence. Sütoová et al (2022) identify the possibility of applying the EFQM model in the educational institution to lead it toward sustainability. The results show weaknesses in some criteria such as organizational culture, transformational leadership, and stakeholder perceptions.…”

“…c. Advantages of applying the European model of excellence management Many benefits accrue to institutions from applying the European Excellence Management Model, as the model provides a valuable framework and a complete overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the educational organization. It also helps to identify the necessary improvements and stimulates their implementation on the path to sustainable development of education (Sütoová, et al, 2022). Deeb, Issa, and Zahra (2022) have identified several benefits and advantages of applying the excellence model such as providing work methodologies and mechanisms for measuring performance and its results throughout the organization, due to the main standards and integrated elements that the model contains that the applicant for the award must possess.…”