To what extent do enablers explain results in the EFQM excellence model? : An empirical study

Purpose – To take an in‐depth look at the EFQM Excellence Model by assessing how enabler and result criteria are interrelated, and how enablers as a whole affect the complete set of results. Design/methodology/approach – Provides new insight and understanding of the associations between the EFQM criteria. Canonical correlation analysis is used to measure the relationships between enablers and results, while accounting for interdependences within those sets of variables. To test the suggested causal relationship, data from a questionnaire survey conducted on 446 companies (manufacturing and service sectors) is used. Findings – The set of enabler criteria is strongly related to the result criteria set and, with the exception of policy and strategy criteria, all the enablers and result criteria in the EFQM Excellence Model make a significant contribution to this relationship. All the enabler criteria contribute in the same way to result improvements, consequently a balanced approach in the development of enablers allows correlation between enablers and results to be maximised, thereby obtaining an optimal benefit from the EFQM Excellence Model. Research limitations/implications – The data obtained are based only on sample of Spanish firms. Studies in other countries should be conducted to ensure the reliability of the results obtained. A natural extension of this paper would be to analyse the existence of differences between industries in the EFQM Excellence Model. Practical implications – A greater understanding of the linkages between the elements making‐up the EFQM model, facilitating the guiding role that award models play in the implantation of TQM systems. Originality/value – A new perspective for examining the linkages between the EFQM criteria in depth. The study of the relationships between all its elements is taken into account, thereby avoiding testing isolated associations. A holistic approach to studying the relationships in the EFQM Excellence Model.