Sommerville, A.K.; (2007) The applicability of the EFQM Excellence Model to higher education. Doctoral thesis , University of London.

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Abstract

This research considers the applicability of a generic quality model (the EFQM Excellence Model (the Model)) that has been used extensively in the private sector and increasingly in the public sector. To enable me to test out the applicability of the Model I employed four research methods including a self-assessment against the Model criteria (an intrinsic part of the Model process) in an institution with which I was familiar. Having recognised the utility of the Model through both a desk research process whereby I used my knowledge of both the Model and higher education to relate the former to the latter and the process of self-assessment I decided to consider the cultural features of higher education institutions to test out what factors play a part in the possible implementation and use of the Model in the higher education sector. To do this I identified a sample of twenty higher education institutions and looked at both their printed materials working on the basis that what they say about themselves in such documented materials will provide some clues to how they function. I also visited nine of the institutions in the sample and so was able to compare and contrast that which they said in their printed materials with what seemed to be the case on the ground. The conclusion I reached was the Model was applicable to higher education in that both I and others had used it to some effect. However, I could also identify aspects of higher education institutions which might get in the way of this being an effective tool. These were: the view of leadership how students were perceived the fragmented nature of higher education institutions the focus on external quality assessment rather than internal quality enhancement and sector approaches to change which tend to be risk-averse.

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