The role of follow‐up in achieving results from self‐assessment processes
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
ISSN: 0265-671X
Article publication date: 1 July 2006
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate follow‐up as a salient factor in achieving results from organizational self‐assessment.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 14 organizations involved in self‐assessment. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the follow‐up patterns in high and low achievers to discern key factors of follow‐up and their relationship to self‐assessment outcomes.
Findings
The paper finds that high achievers appeared to engage in a consistent set of follow‐up activities. These activities included top management team dialogue that set the tone for follow‐up, a planning process that generated a large, documented action plan, and incentive and monitoring‐based implementation controls using existing structure.
Research limitations/implications
Small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings. Larger empirical studies could evaluate the strength of the relationships between the factors of follow‐up and outcomes. Future research should also investigate why some organizations undertake follow‐up while others do not. Plausibly, degree of follow‐up might relate to uncertainty facing the organization, or the extent to which managers understand organizational processes.
Practical implications
An organization can execute a picture perfect self‐assessment analysis and still realize little benefit if it does not effectively follow‐up on the findings. Effective follow‐up is driven by top‐management and cannot be delegated.
Originality/value
This paper extends the literature by elaborating the role of follow‐up in the self‐assessment process.
Keywords
Citation
Ford, M.W. and Evans, J.R. (2006), "The role of follow‐up in achieving results from self‐assessment processes", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 589-606. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656710610672443
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited