Based on two quality management self-assessment survey projects conducted in Europe and Australia, the authors compare practices in these parts of the world. The main questions addressed are: why do organisations use self-assessment?, how do they implement self-assessment?, and what are the benefits which they obtain from it? Findings suggest companies in both regions differ slightly in how they implement self-assessment. Both internal and external factors driving self-assessment are identified, although in the case of Australia there are two different internal factors. One is related to rejuvenating flagging interest in TQM. Several approaches to self-assessment are also identified including: assessor driven, management driven, employee driven and tools and techniques driven. Some variations between the two samples were identified here. Analysis of the links between success with self-assessment and methods used suggested that a management driven approach which may be combined with a quality maturity matrix tended to work best.

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doi.org/10.1108/02656719910223737, hdl.handle.net/1765/64082
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
Erasmus School of Economics

van der Wiele, T., & Brown, A. (1999). Self-assessment practices in Europe and Australia. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 16(3), 238–252. doi:10.1108/02656719910223737