Zhang, J; Li, H; Li, V; Xia, B and Skitmore, M (2021) Internal relationships of market-oriented efqm enablers in the Chinese construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 28(3), pp. 765-787. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Service-oriented innovation economies are becoming the new trend for the construction industry. Benchmarking the quality management level of developed countries and improving quality management are also becoming necessities for promoting innovation in the economy. The purpose of this study is to analyse the internal relationships between the five enablers of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence model, based on a market-oriented strategy, to serve as a framework for managing and improving quality. Design/methodology/approach: Considering the different market environment and culture, this study refines the strategy enabler based on Zebal and Goodwin's (2011) Developing Country Market Orientation Scale, and builds a market-oriented EFQM Excellence model. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to analyse the results of a questionnaire survey of 683 China construction industry top enterprises to explore the internal relationships between the model's five enablers. Findings: (1) “Leadership” has a positive influence on “Market-Oriented Strategy”, “People” and “Partnerships and Resources”; (2) “Market-Oriented Strategy” has positive influence on “Partnerships and Resources”; (3) “People” has a low influence on “Processes, Products and Services”; (4) “Partnerships and Resources” has a medium influence on “Processes, Products and Services” and (5) the relationships between “Market-Oriented Strategy” and “People”, “Partnerships and Resources” are not significant. Originality/value: This study refines the strategy enabler of the original EFQM Excellence model with Zebal and Goodwin's (2011) Developing Country Market Orientation Scale. It also develops a market-oriented EFQM Excellence model that is suitable for developing countries, and it tests the implicit relationships of its five new enablers in an innovation environment where cultural differences exist.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | European Foundation for Quality Management; excellence model; market-oriented strategy; service quality; structural equation modelling |
| Index terms: | China, benchmarking, methodology, service quality, questionnaire, developed country, strategy, structural equation modelling, cultural difference, survey, developing country, construction industry, quality management, partnership, becoming |
| Subjects: | development economics, Geography, research methods, management, performance measurement, quality assurance, statistical analysis, philosophical process, industry analysis, cross-cultural studies, partnership management, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Quality Management, International Construction |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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