MSc Research, EFQM business excellence approach used within ultra small organisations

[Manix]

I am currently drafting my proposal for my final year research project (dissertation). I am doing an MSc in Strategic Quality Management.

The proposed research aim is “Is the EFQM business excellence approach used within ultra small organisations based in the UK private sector and does it provide a competitive weapon?”

In order to establish whether my research is feasible, I need to initially establish the level of ultra small organisations (1-49 employees) that currently make use of the model, either formally (I.e. award application) or informally. With regards to the former, are you able to assist me in identifying any such organisations, with a view to approaching them to participate? If not are you able to assist in pointing me in the correct direction in trying to achieve this? My issue currently is how to find organisations of this size that have implemented or tried to implement a business excellence approach in terms of the EFQM model. I have contacted the Euro Quality Foundation but to no avail yet!!

I am looking for willing organisations in the above category to participate in my research. It is at the proposal stage at present, but the research design is likely to consist of a large sample of organisations of the ultra small category being sent semi-structured questionnaires. This will be accompanied by a more detailed and involved case study of 2-3 organisations. The current proposal is:

1x Organisation that has used the EFQM framework within their organisation.

1x Organisation that is certified to ISO9001 but that has not moved beyond this.

1x Organisation that has no formal certification or that uses the EFQM or any other business excellence model.

The latter case studies are likely to involve site visits, access to company information and semi structured interviews. The research strategy and design need to be finalised, but all ethical guidelines will be followed and need to be approved by my university.

The project is scheduled to run between January 2009 and November 2009.

My main concern is the identification of organisations for participation in the initial survey. I don’t know how to access ultra small organisations within the UK and thus, randomly select a representative sample of these to participate. I know how many and within which industries via, http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/sme, but I don’t know how to randomly select my samples (which have been stratified by industry), as I don’t have a means of identifying them!!! I am currently trying to understand if I am able to gain access to a commercial database such as FAME or D&B (Dun & Bradstreet).

My stratification is as per the below:

Industry/ Population or organisations within the private sector with 1-49 employees/Stratified Sample
Agriculture, Hunting and Forestry;Fishing/ 64702/ 27
Mining and Quarrying; Electricity, Gas and Water Supply/ 1016/ 0
Manufacturing/ 98903/ 42
Construction/ 140841/ 59
Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repairs/ 242235/ 102
Hotels and Restaurants/ 113821/ 48
Transport, Storage and Communication/ 44335/ 19
Financial Intermediation/ 19173/ 8
Real Estate, Renting and Business Activities/ 304209/ 128
Education/ 13653/ 6
Health and Social work/ 51705/ 22
Other Community, Social and Personal Service Activities/ 90752/ 38
TOTALS 1185346 Stratified Sample = 500


Any assistance or advice at this early stage will be of great use to me and my research. I am very keen to get in touch with organisations that can assist in my research. Please get in touch if you can assist or would like to know more.

This will be of benefit to any organisation that takes part, as it's main premise is to identify barriers to business excellence and positive efforts in terms of any quality based initiative. This could be used as a platform to tailor a business excellence approach within the organisation concerned.

The cove has helped me greatly over the last few years, I hope it gives me a link to organisations willing and able to help

[Coury Ferguson]

Thanks for the links Manix.