Striving for excellence: how self‐assessment using the Business Excellence Model can result in step improvements in all areas of business activities

Self‐assessment using the Business Excellence Model has been in place in Europe since 1990 as a means of obtaining competitive advantage. Describes the history, design and application of the model and self‐assessment in the context of the desire of all organizations to strive for excellence. Emphasizes is on self‐assessment but reference is made to the use of the model of self‐assessment to identify model organizations through the UK Quality Award (UKQA) and European Quality Award (EQA) processes.