Applying the EFQM Business Excellence Model for Building and Marketing High Performing Organizations

Prior Reading as background information to assignment is detailed understanding of the EFQM model for assignment A. The assignments aims to measure participants understanding of the concept of ''Building and Marketing High Performing Organisations''

The module introduces a number of tools that can be used to measure the success, or otherwise, of an organisation - focusing on operations, supply chains and marketing strategy. The module seeks to explore some ways in which organisations can be developed and managed in order to become high performance organisations. Overall the module emphasizes the concept of integrative nature of business across key areas and what matters most in the need and desire to build high performing organisations that can endure in the complex, global business environment. It is aimed at helping participants gain understanding of differing organisational capabilities, how to manage them and why they are important for generating profitable growth.

1. Apply the EFQM Business Excellence model, using relevant theory and concepts learnt on the module, to one organisation of your choice. Draw on your analysis to identify and capture strengths and areas for improvement to the chosen organisation (40%):

i. How well do they build sustainable relationships with their partners & suppliers?

ii. Do they manage their buildings, equipment and resources in a sustainable way?

i. Have they defined the key processes required to deliver their strategy?

ii. Do they develop new, innovative products and services?

2. Based on your analysis, offer and justify one operations/supply chain management strategy that the chosen organisation could pursue to drive business excellence (40%)

Marks will be awarded for structure, presentation and quality of references (10%).

Note: You should draw on relevant theory, concepts and principles learnt on the module throughout the report.

 What would success look like from this strategy?

Describe what the strategy looks like in terms of an approach or approaches?

What specific steps would chosen organisation take to deliver this strategy/approach?

How would chosen organisation ensure the approach stays on track? What else would they need to consider? Who else could they learn from?

Advice on the practical application of theory

There is an expectation that you go beyond learning gained on the MBHPO module. This includes a need to conduct your own research into the key themes underpinning the questions above using the academic literature (e.g. journal articles and other credible sources).

You will need to briefly introduce your chosen organisation to familiarise the reader with the appropriate context. There are no marks for detailed background to the company. You are being assessed on your reflections, interpretation and application of theory in practice and analytical reasoning using accepted academic practice and literature.

Your report should be a maximum of 2500 words (+/- 10%) excluding title page, references, and appendices. Sticking to a strict word limit is difficult and an important skill for you to acquire, so make sure that you write in a concise and focused manner. It should be typed font size 12 and 1.5 line spacing and must be presented in portrait format, not landscape. This report is worth 45% of your total grade for this module. An essential feature of the report is to illustrate how theoretical constructs or models can be critically analysed and applied to organisations in practice. You are therefore advised to read widely. In fact, unless you have read and referenced at least 10 discrete references, it is unlikely that you have done sufficient reading (you need to go beyond this to achieve higher marks). Beware of sources from the Internet (no Wikipedia or business balls): apart from reputable and academic references that can be downloaded through the Internet (commonly via the library catalogue); most Internet references are not considered reliable for an academic piece of work. Academic journals generally offer a better source than textbooks.