Share:


Quantitative study of the causal relationships among the EFQM model 2020 criteria in the Greek public sector context

    Dimitra Mitsiou Affiliation
    ; Kostas Zafiropoulos Affiliation

Abstract

This study aims to apply the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Model 2020 in the Greek Public Sector context and investigate the causal relationships between the model’s criteria. The research uses a structured questionnaire based on the self-assessment tool and the guidelines on the concept and structure of the EFQM Model 2020, translated from English into Greek using forward-backward translation. Two focus groups and a pilot study were conducted to ensure the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Subsequently, a large-scale quantitative research was conducted using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the research hypotheses on a national sample of 177 managers from public administrative services. The study results indicate that the EFQM Model 2020 is indeed a reliable and valid framework for the study of the public sector and reveal significant relationships between the model’s criteria. The study is one of the first comprehensive investigations of the relationships between the EFQM Model 2020 criteria in Europe and, therefore, provides insights into the understanding of the model. As this research was geographically limited, the findings should be treated and generalised with caution, and further research should be conducted in different contexts.

Keyword : EFQM Model 2020, causal relationships, public sector services, structural equation modelling, partial least squares, Greece

How to Cite
Mitsiou, D., & Zafiropoulos, K. (2024). Quantitative study of the causal relationships among the EFQM model 2020 criteria in the Greek public sector context. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 25(4), 731–750. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2024.21788
Published in Issue
Sep 5, 2024
Abstract Views
277
PDF Downloads
238
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Addin, N. A. H. T. (2020). The relationship between the leadership and organizational performance a review. International Journal of Innovations in Engineering Research and Technology, 7(11), 120–128. https://www.neliti.com/publications/337077/the-relationship-between-the-leadership-and-organizational-performance-a-review

Akpa, V. O., Asikhia, O. U., & Nneji, N. E. (2021). Organizational culture and organizational performance: A review of literature. International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management, 3(1), 361–372.

Akparep, J. Y., Jengre, E., & Mogre, A. A. (2019). The influence of leadership style on organizational performance at TumaKavi Development Association, Tamale, Northern Region of Ghana. Open Journal of Leadership, 8(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojl.2019.81001

Albert, N. M., Pappas, S., Porter-O’Grady, T., & Malloch, K. (2022). Quantum leadership. Creating sustainable value in health care (6th ed.). Jones and Barlett Learning.

AL-Majali, F. (2013). An investigation of the integration of business intelligence tools with the roles of performance management of wholesale SMEs in the UK: To enhance decision making that maintains/improves operational performance [doctoral dissertation]. University of Huddersfield, England.

Altıok, P. (2011), Applicable vision, mission and the effects of strategic management on crisis resolve. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 24, 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.09.057

Anastasiadou, S. (2018, May). Total quality management in Greek Tertiary educational system [Conferefence presentation]. The 10th International Conference EBEEC, Warsaw, Poland.

Anastasiadou, S. D., & Zirinoglou, P. A. (2015). EFQM dimensions in Greek primary education system. Procedia Economics and Finance, 33, 411–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(15)01725-6

Anastasiadou, S. D., Zirinoglou, P. A., & Florou, G. S. (2014). The European foundation quality management evaluation of Greek. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 143, 932–940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.07.530

Andjelkovic Pesic, M., & Dahlgaard, J. J. (2013). Using the balanced scorecard and the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence model as a combined roadmap for diagnosing and attaining excellence. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 24(5–6), 652–663. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2013.791109

Ashok, K. (2016). Redefined and importance of organizational culture. Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 16(A4), 15–18. https://journalofbusiness.org/index.php/GJMBR/article/view/1980

Babnik, K., Breznik, K., Dermol, V., & Trunk Širca, N. (2014). The mission statement: Organisational culture perspective. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 114(4), 612–627. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-10-2013-0455

Barad, M. (2018). Strategies and techniques for quality and flexibility. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68400-0

Beaton, D., Bombardier, C., Guillemin, F., & Ferraz, M. (2007). Recommendations for the cross-cultural adaptation of the DASH and quick DASH outcome measures. Institute for Work and Health.

Bocoya-Maline, J., Rey-Moreno, M., & Calvo-Mora, A. (2024). The EFQM excellence model, the knowledge management process and the corresponding results: an explanatory and predictive study. Review of Managerial Science, 18, 1281–1315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-023-00653-w

Bou-Llusar, J. C., Escrig-Tena, A. B., Roca-Puig, V., & Beltran-Martınm, I. (2005). To what extent do enablers explain results in the EFQM excellence model?: An empirical study. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 22(4), 337–353. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656710510591192

Bou-Llusar, J. C., Escrig-Tena, A. B., Roca-Puig, V., & Beltrán-Martín, I. (2009). An empirical assessment of the EFQM excellence model: Evaluation as a TQM framework relative to the MBNQA model. Journal of Operations Management, 27(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2008.04.001

Calvo-Mora, A., Leal, A., & Roldán, J. L. (2005). Relationships between the EFQM model criteria: A study in Spanish universities. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 16(6), 741–770. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783360500077708

Calvo-Mora, A., Leal, A., & Roldán, J. L. (2006). Using enablers of the EFQM model to manage institutions of higher education. Quality Assurance in Education: An International Perspective, 14(2), 99–122. https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880610662006

Calvo-Mora, A., Picón, A., Ruiz, C., & Cauzo, L. (2014a). The relationships between softhard TQM factors and key business results. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 34(1), 115–143. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-09-2012-0355

Calvo-Mora, A., Ruiz-Moreno, C., Picón-Berjoyo, A., & Cauzo-Bottala, L. (2014b). Mediation effect of TQM technical factors in excellence management systems. Journal of Business Research, 67(5), 769–774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.11.042

Calvo-Mora, A., Navarro-García, A., & Periañez-Cristobal, R. (2015). Project to improve knowledge management and key business results through the EFQM excellence model. International Journal of Project Management, 33(8), 1638–1651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2015.01.010

Carataș, M. A., & Spătariu, E. C. (2018). Organizational culture impact on strategic management. Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, 18(2), 405–408. https://stec.univ-ovidius.ro/html/anale/RO/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/6-3.pdf

Chelangat, B. (2022). Organizational culture and organization performance: A critical review of literature. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 24(2), 43–47. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jbm/papers/Vol24-issue2/Ser-4/F2402044347.pdf

Chen, C. K., Anchecta, K., Lee, Y. D., & Dahlgaard, J. J. (2016). A stepwise ISO-Based TQM implementation approach using ISO 9001:2015. Management and Production Engineering Review, 7(4), 65–75. https://doi.org/10.1515/mper-2016-0037

Chin, W. W., & Dibbern, J. (2010). An introduction to a permutation based procedure for multi-group PLS analysis: Results of tests of differences on simulated data and a cross cultural analysis of the sourcing of information system services between Germany and the USA. In V. Esposito Vinzi, W. W. Chin, J. Henseler, & H. Wang (Eds.), Handbook of partial least squares: Concepts, methods and applications (pp. 171–193). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-32827-8_8

Clarkson, M. B. E. (1995). A stakeholder framework for analyzing and evaluating corporate social performance. Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 92–117. https://doi.org/10.2307/258888

Daft, R. L. (2010). Organization theory and design (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Donaldson, T., & Preston, L. E. (1995). The stakeholder theory of the corporation: Concepts, evidence, and implications. Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 65–69. https://doi.org/10.2307/258887

Đorđević, A., Klochkov, Y., Arsovski, S., Stefanović, N., Shamina, L., & Pavlović, A. (2021). The impact of ICT support and the EFQM criteria on sustainable business excellence in higher education institutions. Sustainability, 13(14), Article 7523. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147523

Enggartyasti, A., & Caraka, R. E. (2017). A preview of total quality management (TQM) in public services. E-Jurnal Ekonomi dan Bisnis Universitas Udayana, 6(9), 3285–3290. https://doi.org/10.24843/EEB.2017.v06.i09.p04

Eskildsen, J. K., Kristensen, K., & Jørn Juhl, H. (2000). The causal structure of the EFQM excellence model. http://pure.au.dk/portal/files/32330561/0003106.pdf

Eskildsen, J. K., Kristensen, K., & Jørn Juhl, H. (2002). Trends in EFQM criterion weights; the case of Denmark 1998–2001. Measuring Business Excellence, 6(2), 22–28. https://doi.org/10.1108/13683040210431437

European Foundation for Quality Management. (2021a). The EFQM model. https://efqm.org/the-efqm-model/

European Foundation for Quality Management. (2021b). The EFQM model (revised 2nd ed.).

Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Pitman.

Fombrun, C., & Shanley, M. (1990). What’s in a name? Reputation building and corporate strategy. Academy of Management Journal, 33(2), 233–258. https://doi.org/10.5465/256324

Fonseca, L., Amaral, A., & Oliveira, J. (2021). Quality 4.0: The EFQM 2020 model and Industry 4.0 relationships and implications. Sustainability, 13(6), Article 3107. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063107

Gené-Badia, J., Jodar-Solà, G., Peguero-Rodríguez, E., Contel-Segura, J. C., & Moliner-Molins, C. (2001). The EFQM excellence model is useful for primary health care teams. Family Practice, 18(4), 407–409. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/18.4.407

Giménez Espín, J. A., Martínez Costa, M., & Jiménez Jiménez, D. (2023). Does culture matter for the EFQM model application?. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 34(3–4), 440–467. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2022.2068408

Giménez Espín, J. A., Jiménez Jiménez, D., & Martínez Costa, M. (2023). Effects of the organizational culture and knowledge exploration and exploitation on results in the EFQM model framework. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(6), 1607–1636. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-11-2021-0868

Gómez Gómez, J., Martínez Costa, M., & Martínez Lorente, A. R. (2011). A critical evaluation of the EFQM model. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 28(5), 484–502. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656711111132544

Gómez Gómez, J., Martínez-Costa, M., & Martínez-Lorente, A. R. (2015). An in-depth review of the internal relationships of the EFQM model. The TQM Journal, 27(5), 486–502. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-05-2013-0056

Gómez Gómez, J., Martínez Costa, M., & Martínez Lorente, A. R. (2017). EFQM excellence model and TQM: An empirical comparison. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 28(1–2), 88–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2015.1050167

Gómez-López, R., López-Fernández, M. C., & Serrano-Bedia, A. M. (2017). Implementation barriers of the EFQM excellence model within the Spanish private firms. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 28(7–8), 695–711. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2015.1106314

Grafé-Buckens, A., & Hinton, A. F. (1998). Engaging the stakeholders: Corporate views and current trends. Business Strategy and the Environment, 7(3), 124–133. 3.0.CO;2-R> https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0836(199807)7:3<124::AID-BSE148>3.0.CO;2-R

Gutterman, A. (2023, August 5). Organizational performance and effectiveness. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4532570

Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 1(3), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) (2nd ed.). Sage Publications Inc.

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Using R. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80519-7

Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2011). PLS-SEM: Indeed a silver bullet. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 19(2), 139–151. https://doi.org/10.2753/MTP1069-6679190202

Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203

Hart, S. L., & Ahuja, G. (1996). Does it pay to be green? An empirical examination of the relationship between emission reduction and firm performance. Business Strategy and the Environment, 5(1), 30–37. 3.0.CO;2-Q> https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0836(199603)5:1<30::AID-BSE38>3.0.CO;2-Q

Hart, S. L., & Milstein, M. B. (2003). Creating sustainable value. Academy of Management Perspectives, 17(2), 56–69. https://doi.org/10.5465/ame.2003.10025194

Hemsworth, D. (2016). An empirical assessment of the EFQM excellence model in purchasing. International Business & Economics Research Journal, 15(4), 127–146. https://doi.org/10.19030/iber.v15i4.9715

Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43, 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8

Heras-Saizarbitoria, I., Marimon, F., & Casadesús, M. (2012). An empirical study of the relationships within the categories of the EFQM model. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 23(5–6), 523–540. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2012.669541

Janakiraman, B., & Gopal, R. K. (2006). Total quality management. Text and cases. Prentice-Hall of India Private Limited.

Kafetzopoulos, D., & Gotzamani, K. (2019). Investigating the role of EFQM enablers in innovation performance. The TQM Journal, 31(2), 239–256. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-09-2018-0124

Kafetzopoulos, D., Gotzamani, K., & Skalkos, D. (2019). The relationship between EFQM enablers and business performance: The mediating role of innovation. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 30(4), 684–706. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-06-2018-0166

Kaplani, G., & Zafiropoulos, K. (2022). A model of quality assurance in primary education management. The case of Greece. Cogent Business & Management, 9(1),1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.2016555

Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading change. Harvard Business Review Press. https://doi.org/10.15358/9783800646159

Laszlo, C. (2008). Sustainable value. How the World’s leading companies are doing well by doing good. Stanford University Press.

Leal Filho, W., & Brandli, L. (2016). Engaging stakeholders for sustainable development. In W. Leal Filho, & L. Brandli (Eds.), Engaging stakeholders in education for sustainable development at university level (pp. 335–342). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26734-0_21

Magno, F., Cassia, F., & Ringle, C. M. (2024). A brief review of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) use in quality management studies. The TQM Journal, 36(5), 1242–1251. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-06-2022-0197

Malik, M. A., & Azmat, S. (2019). Leader and leadership: Historical development of the terms and critical review of literature. Annals of the University of Craiova for Journalism, Communication and Management, 5(1), 16–32. https://www.aucjc.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/aucjcm-vol-5-2019-16-32.pdf

Marx, T. G. (2015). The impact of business strategy on leadership. Journal of Strategy and Management, 8(2), 110–126. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-06-2014-0042

Oakland, J. (2014). Total quality management and operational excellence. Text with cases (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315815725

Oger, B., & Platt, D. (2002). Value measurement and value creation models in Europe and the US: A comparison of the EFQM excellence model and the baldrige award criteria. Comptabilité – Contrôle – Audit, 8(3), 99–115. https://doi.org/10.3917/cca.083.0099

Øvretveit, J. (2005). Public Service Quality Improvement, in Ε. Ferlie, L. E. Lynn Jr., & C. Pollitt (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of public management (pp. 537–562). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199226443.003.0024

Para-González, L., Jiménez-Jiménez, D., & Martínez-Lorente, A. R. (2021). The link between people and performance under the EFQM excellence model umbrella. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 32(3–4), 410–430. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2018.1552516

Para-González, L., Jiménez-Jiménez, D., & Martínez-Lorente, A. R. (2022). Does EFQM enhance learning and innovation?. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 33(7–8), 727–751. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2021.1890016

Peloza, J., Loock, M., Cerruti, J., & Muyot, M. (2012). Sustainability: How stakeholder perceptions differ from corporate reality. California Management Review, 55(1), 74–97. https://doi.org/10.1525/cmr.2012.55.1.74

Pop, N. A., & Pelau, C. (2017). Correlations within the EFQM business excellence model by applying a factor analysis. Amfiteatru Economic Journal, 19(44), 28–40.

Purwanto, A., & Sudargini, Y. (2021). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis for social and management research: A literature review. Journal of Industrial Engineering & Management Research, 2(4), 114–123.

Rosak-Szyrocka, J., & Roszak, M. (2019). The role of the EFQM model in precepting quality in Polish enterprises. Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering, 2(1), 399–406. https://doi.org/10.2478/mape-2019-0040

Schein, E. H. (2004). Organizational culture and leadership (3rd ed.) Jossey-Bass.

Sole, F. (2009). A management model and factors driving performance in public organizations. Measuring Business Excellence, 13(4), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1108/13683040911006747

Suárez, E., Roldán, J. L., & Calvo-Mora, A. (2014). A structural analysis of the EFQM model: An assessment of the mediating role of process management. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 15(5), 862–885. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2013.776627

Sütőová, A., Teplická, K., & Straka, M. (2022). Application of the EFQM Model in the Education Institution for Driving Improvement of Processes towards Sustainability. Sustainability, 14(13), Article 7711. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137711

Tarí, J. J., Portela Maquieira, S., & Molina-Azorín, J. F. (2023). The link between transformational leadership and the EFQM model elements. Business Process Management Journal, 29(2), 447–464. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-10-2022-0498

Tavallaei, R., Haghighi Boroujeni, P., & Khalili, H. (2021). An investigation on the effect of knowledge management on the strategic and operational performance of organizations through the application of organizational excellence model (EFQM 2020). Scientific Journal of Strategic Management of Organizational Knowledge, 4(14), 141–174. https://jkm.ihu.ac.ir/article_206880.html

Tsai, Y. (2011). Relationship between organizational culture, leadership behavior and job satisfaction. BMC Health Services Research, 11, Article 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-11-98

Turisová, R., Pačaiová, H., Kotianová, Z., Nagyová, A., Hovanec, M., & Korba, P. (2021). Evaluation of emaintenance application based on the new version of the EFQM model. Sustainability, 13(7), Article 3682. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073682

van Ingen, R., Peters, P., De Ruiter, M., & Robben, H. (2021). Exploring the meaning of organizational purpose at a new dawn: The development of a conceptual model through expert interviews. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.675543

van Schoten, S., de Blok, C., Spreeuwenberg, P., Groenewegen, P., & Wagner, C. (2016). The EFQM Model as a framework for total quality management in healthcare: Results of a longitudinal quantitative study. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 36(8), 901–922. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-03-2015-0139

Vukomanovic, M., Radujkovic, M., & Nahod, M. M. (2014). EFQM excellence model as the TQM model of the construction industry of southeastern Europe. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 20(1), 70–81. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2013.843582

Wheelen, T. L., Hunger, J. D., Hoffman, A. N., & Bamford, C. E. (2015). Strategic management and business policy. Globalization, Innovation, and Sustainability (14th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.