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Stories around the world support the assertion that the Baldrige Excellence Frameworkand its Criteria are the world standard for performance excellence*. The framework, as well as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award that uses the Criteria as its application, is described time and again in the international press as the inspiration for continuous excellence. These international organizations, which are not eligible to apply for the Baldrige Award unless they have U.S. subunits, simply use the Baldrige framework or apply to a quality award that bases itself on Baldrige to obtain or aspire to operational excellence.
Here are examples of some of this recent press from all different types of industries:
In Austria, scientists at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences write in "Rural Tourism Opportunities: Strategies and Requirements for Destination Leadership in Peripheral Areas" that rural tourism could be "a remedy that should enhance the local economy, create new jobs, strengthen the regional identity and finance the infrastructure." The Baldrige framework is noted as a source to help leaders in this field recognize the importance of having and communicating a vision, as well as an awareness of quality values.
In India, two professors answer the question "What Will It Take to Create a World-class [Business] School in India?" by writing that business schools should consider adopting the Baldrige Criteria for Education. "We are aware of many businesses that have achieved significant success by using models like the Baldrige criteria; it is time that B-schools also tie their leadership, strategy, customer focus, information and knowledge focus, workforce focus and process focus with business results across multiple dimensions to evaluate effectiveness of their initiatives," write Sunil Mithas and Henry Lucas.
In Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Albania, a recent paper "Strategic Planning and Benchmarking Organizational Routines of Universities in the Western Balkans" suggests that universities in the region need more strategic planning and benchmarking after years of civil war and instability. "To be able to build a potential baseline for further research, including the possibility for more comparative research both within and beyond the region, the selection of routines was taken from the U.S. Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Performance Excellence in Education," which is "highly respected," writes author Antigoni Papadimitriou of the University of Oslo, Norway.
In Sri Lanka, AB Securitas, a loss prevention and secure transport service provider in the country, achieved the National Quality Award for business excellence. "The National Quality Award recognizes quality excellence based on the world-renowned Malcolm Baldrige model," according to the Sri Lankan press.
Also in Sri Lanka, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories Limited received the Sri Lanka National Quality Award (NQA) in the large scale manufacturing category. "Award winners are selected on the criteria used in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards of the USA," according to The Daily News. "The recognition will also help the company to respond more effectively to customer requirements and in the strategic planning process. The national award has reinforced the company's continued commitment to quality, and as the recipient of the NQA, Maliban will be eligible to use this recognition in its advertising campaigns and publicity programmes, which in turn would enhance its standing in the public domain." In addition, the manufacturing arm of Exide Lead Acid batteries, Associated Battery Manufacturers (Ceylon) Ltd. (ABM), was awarded the Merit Certification for the NQA; "the selection and quality excellence is determined according to the world renowned Malcolm Baldrige model," according to The Daily Financial Times.
In China, the joint venture Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile (DPCA) was recently presented with "China's highest quality accolade," the prestigious National Quality Award, called "China's equivalent of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the United States." The Chinese prize recognizes DPCA for its track record of progress and performance management, said Jean Mouro, DPCA director general. "Our development objectives in China and South east Asia are set with a continuous focus on excellence."
Dawn Bailey is a writer/editor for the Baldrige Program and involved in all aspects of communications, from leading the Baldrige Executive Fellows program to managing the direction of case studies, social media efforts, and assessment teams. She has more than 25 years of experience, 18 years at the Baldrige Program. Her background is in English and journalism, with degrees from the University of Connecticut and an advanced degree from George Mason University.
A recent Inc.com blog post by Jessica Stillman discusses Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, Revenge of the Tipping Point. The thesis of the blog post and a theme in
The Baldrige Performance Excellence Program gives thanks to the entire Baldrige community, especially our advisory board (Board of Overseers) and all-volunteer
Once a year, leaders from all industries come together to share insights on leadership, innovation, and performance excellence. The Baldrige Fall Conference
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Also takes place in New Zealand under the guidance of Errol's Business Excellence programs
Christine, great blog. I am sure there are many more examples in other countries that go unreported that could magnify this theme.
I took your advice and read “The Metrology of Organizational Performance: How Baldrige Standards Have Become the Common Language for Organizational Excellence around the World. “ It stresses the importance of just having standards and how following the standards within the Baldrige Criteria has impacted the strength of the global economy. In these turbulent days, when many United States institutions and practices are deemed undesirable in other countries, it is truly astounding that the little low-watt navigational beacon that is the Baldrige Excellence Framework has been heard, tuned in, and amplified in so many places as THE standard of excellence for improving performance. Perhaps, we should ask Professors Link and Scott to update their analysis of the social benefit ratio of the Baldrige program to encompass ASQ members around the world, not just in the US. I predict the news ratio would break the 1,000:1 mark.
In South Africa the Baldrige is a standard reference baseline to assess international business excellence growth and innovation. Our gratitude goes to the Baldrige Foundation, the Baldrige CEO and Management Team, as well as its Panel of Judges and Examiners.