Evolution and Integration: Navigating the Path to Business Excellence through the European Foundation for Quality Management Model and Circular Economy Principles
The Evolution of Business Excellence: From Operational Efficiency to Circularity This research offers a comprehensive historical analysis of the business excellence paradigm, documenting its transition from traditional profit-centric models to modern, value-driven frameworks. By critically evaluating the EFQM and Malcolm Baldrige models, the study explores the integration of the Balanced Scorecard, human-centric management, and environmental ethics into core corporate strategy. It provides a definitive scholarly bridge between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Circular Economy objectives, offering practitioners and researchers a robust methodology for aligning organizational performance with global sustainability standards.
Description
This article investigates the transformation of the business excellence concept, tracing its shift from a narrow focus on profit and operational efficiency toward a modern paradigm that embraces strategic decision-making, ethical conduct, and social responsibility. Utilizing a historical lens, the study examines the influence of key frameworks—such as the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—in redefining excellence. Through a multi-decade literature review, the research highlights how modern excellence has become increasingly dynamic, integrating customer and employee satisfaction with robust assessment tools like the Balanced Scorecard. Furthermore, the study asserts that the human dimension is vital for aligning organizational culture with the principles of the circular economy. By exploring the convergence of Total Quality Management and the EFQM model, the article demonstrates how these frameworks provide a versatile foundation for organizations seeking to achieve long-term sustainability goals.