The basic idea of TQM-Net lies in setting up a net of support centres for helping SMEs to implement a TQM approach following either the EFQM Excellence Model (http://www.efqm.org), or its national variations.
This network is needed, because the underlying concept is very complex and to implement for first time users.The model however is of big help for any size of SMEs, even for start-ups. Therefore a network of support centres mus be set up, which help the SMEs in learning and implementing strategic quality management concepts.
To facilitate the EFQM implementation, the partners use the results of the the ESPRIT, Project ANAFACT as a strating point, and here specially the ANAFACT teachware and the GOA WorkBench® application as a relatively low cost tool for automating and supporting the EFQM process as far as possible.
The main objective of TQM-Net is the dissemination of the Business Excellence concept within SMEs, as it is best represented in Europe by the EFQM Model of Excellence.
The work of the project has technical and non-technical component. The technical component consists in the localisation and adaptation of the existing solutions, namely GOA WorkBench® and multimedia tutorial, to the test fields in Austria, France, Portugal and Spain.
The non-technical work lies in developing supporting training and consulting modules with which the help of multiplying partners will help to facilitate the EFQM implementation in 8-12 test beds per region.
Additionally information events will sensiblize the local SMEs and the test beds will act as reference cases.
Project Description
SMEs do not have the same resources that big companies have, we can say that SMEs find their strategic advantage in their weaknesses. Flexibility can be seen as a their biggest asset. Because they feel vulnerable to an external environment, they often have a humble and systemic attitude towards their own development; there is more contact between customers and the enterprise that is much more sensitive to their needs; the hierarchical links are softer than in big companies allowing for a more coherent and transparent decision process. The most important help for these companies is to allow them to have a clear strategy, with qualified human resources, and an efficient work organisation.
In fact SMEs have a big advantage over large enterprises. This advantage comes from the fact that very often the hierarchical structures are invisible inside the enterprise. In most cases due to the small number of employees, relations between boss and employees are very close and there is not a rigid division of work.
SMEs, in comparison to large firms, devote very little financial investment to organisational development and Total Quality Management. They do not have their own Quality Management systems and expertise. If they are to move towards Total Quality Management as a way of acquiring a sustainable competitive advantage, they will need a high level of external professional assistance in this field. The professionalism of the
TQM consulting organisations and experts needs to be brought to the enterprise in a way which not requires the establishment of an heavy internal and external support structure. It is the objective of the project to set up a net of support centres for helping SMEs to implement a TQM approach following either the EFQM Model of Excellence, or its national variation, especially according to different economic situation in the partner countries.
Project Objectives
This net is needed, because EFQM itself is momentarily concentrating their own actions mainly on industry and multinationals. Nevertheless, it can be seen as proven that the model is of big help for any size of SMEs, even for start-ups.
Therefore, a net of regional support centres must be established which helps the SMEs in learning and implementing a strategic quality management. To facilitate this, it is suggested, that the net uses the results of the ESPRIT-project AnaFact as a starting point, and here especially the AnaFact TeachWare and the GOA WorkBench® application as a relatively low cost tool for automating the EFQM process as far as possible. This fact is very important for small businesses or start-ups being mostly confronted with financial problems.
Partners
The proposing consortium has all the expertise and backgrounds needed to make this project a success. GAIA as a regional business association is a forerunner for the implementation of new technologies for its region and member companies and has internally already implemented an EFQM group. Global Change is a consulting company, with a long history in consulting of SMEs and here also in EFQM. ERMITE is a consulting institution of the University of Strasbourg and just now in the process of extending their business by setting up an EEIG with several consultants targeting at transferring know-how from research to industrial SMEs. WIFI is the consulting arm of the economical chamber of Upper-Austria and the propagation of EFQM is one of their declared strategies for the near future, These four companies will act as the regional multipliers and will firts jointly develop their consulting and training modules and the adapt them to the local needs.
Making use of two results of the ESPRIT Project Anafact will facilitate the implementation of EFQM at the SMEs. IBK as one of the leading partners of that project brings in as background materials GOA WorkBench® the up to now only application acknowledged by EFQM as a full support of the Model of Excellence – and the AnaFact TeachWare, a multimedia course on how to implement EFQM. IBK will localise the GOA tool to the test regions and another partner, RADICAL MEDIA, will adapt the TeachWare to the project needs.
Project coordinator: GAIA - Asociación de Industrias de las Tecnologías Electrónicas y de la Información del País Vasco
Project website: http://www.gaia.es/tqmnet/
Para saber mais sobre a nossa intervenção no âmbito dos Modelos de Gestão pela Qualidade Total (EFQM, CAF, EQUASS) ou saber mais sobre o projecto TQM_NET não hesite em nos contactar clicando aqui.