Sustainability of a university’s quality system: adaptation of the EFQM excellence model
International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences
ISSN: 1756-669X
Article publication date: 21 February 2020
Issue publication date: 10 March 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Modern trends show that universities are searching for new solutions to increase efficiency and improve quality by considering approaches of quality system development that link with strategy and include extensive analysis of risks, processes and stakeholders. The approach that best fits the institution has to be in line with the institution’s strategic objectives, quality culture and policy and key performance indicators. The purpose of this paper and case study is to discover if sustainable development may be achieved by using an appropriate quality system development approach, such as the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model.
Design/methodology/approach
To analyse sustainability and development of the quality system adapted in a higher-education institution, a literature review of different quality management approaches and models was performed. The research includes a case study of the university’s quality management framework based on an adapted EFQM excellence model emphasising on strategic development in the context of sustainability. The key focus of the research is to discover how universities could better focus on sustainable development and benefit from a quality system based on an adapted EFQM excellence model.
Findings
Literature analysis indicated that some of the sustainability development activities a university may use are possible to be integrated through quality system models and development approaches. The findings from the literature suggest that the EFQM excellence model may provide a management framework and a comprehensive overview of a university for identifying necessary improvements and promoting the implementation of advancement activities on the road to sustainable development. The principles of the EFQM excellence model may guide in setting a strategic focus on sustainable development of universities.
Originality/value
Sustainability and sustainable development of a university are analysed in terms of quality aspects of higher education, and the research results reveal the main sustainability elements to be analysed and implemented through a university’s strategy and improvement processes. The Riga Technical University quality system called “RTU Excellence Approach” development analysis is given as a case study.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “QMOD-ICQSS Conference”.
The authors would like to thank Professor Su Mi Dahlgaard-Park and Professor Jens J. Dahlgaard for valuable guidelines in completing this study.
Citation
Medne, A., Lapina, I. and Zeps, A. (2020), "Sustainability of a university’s quality system: adaptation of the EFQM excellence model", International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 29-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQSS-09-2019-0108
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited