Towards sustainable excellence: strategic analysis of Deming Prize winning companies

Abstract

Purpose

Addressing the issue of sustainability of business excellence, the paper maps strategies of Deming Application Prize (DAP) winning companies in India and evaluates the effectiveness of the Prize scheme. It presents results of questionnaire survey.

Design/methodology/approach

Research has been carried out in case-survey-case (C-S-C) mode. This paper, second in series after a case study, applies questionnaire technique. Research construct - showing systemic interactions with resources, capabilities and competencies - has been presented. Descriptive analyses of data have been carried out and six hypotheses tested through correlation analysis.

Findings

TQM implementation and Deming Prize result in improvement in business processes. The award is effective in propelling organisations to higher performance level; however, sustainability of excellence remains an issue of concern. ‘Flexibility’ in strategy has strong positive correlation with satisfaction of stakeholders. ‘Continuous improvement’ is the most critical factor.

Research limitations/implications

All the 18 companies winning DAP up to 2007 were contacted. Limitation of sample size was overcome by generating 72% response.

Practical implications

Results have implications for the concept of TQM and DAP methodology.

Originality/value

Results of empirical research are presented. The model developed as research construct in this study provides illustration on how researchers and managers should dig into the organisational system for sustaining excellence.

Citation

Breja, S.K., Banwet, D.K. and Iyer, K.C. (2016), "Towards sustainable excellence: strategic analysis of Deming Prize winning companies", The TQM Journal, Vol. 28 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-09-2012-0070