Rewarding Excellence: An International Study into Business Excellence Award Processes

Abstract

This article shares selected findings from a major international study focusing on how business excellence (BE) awards are administered across nations. In this article, the authors present findings related to the recognition and awards process, namely the BE awards themselves. The methodology they used consisted of a literature review, three surveys, a series of focus groups, and key informant interviews. The primary focus was on the Australian context, as the administrators of the Australian Business Excellence Framework (ABEF) commissioned the research. The study, however, involved 16 countries, and the findings draw upon a range of international sources and hence are of relevance to all Business Excellence Framework (BEF) custodians. Evidence from the study indicates that BEF custodians worldwide operate an effective awards process that both evaluators and organizations benefit from. The authors found that the awards process is perceived by custodians to be one of their highest priority activities, and that international practice varies in relation to aspects such as: the duration of the evaluation process; the number of evaluators on a team; the level, number, and focus of awards conferred; the documentation required; and the costs to the organization. The authors describe the practices in relation to these areas of difference. A key finding was that custodians, in general, have an effective recognition and awards process. However, the process has in many cases become the prime focus of the custodians to the detriment of other processes focussed on creating awareness of BE and how to apply it. The findings from the project were used to redesign the ABEF, and are expected to help inform national BE strategies worldwide.