The Relationships between Enablers and Results in Excellence Models: Learnings From Italy And Sweden

Paper in proceeding, 2014

The purpose of this study is to explain possible correlations between the stated enablers and results in excellence models, and furthermore explain how different variables contribute to the enablers and results. By doing the cross-case analysis of two models, the European Common Assessment Framework (CAF) in Italy and the Swedish SIQ model (SIQ), we can contribute with learning across the two different award processes and models. The study focuses on public sector organizations. The study is expected to provide information on transversal factors between the two frameworks CAF and SIQ trough the evaluation of the assessment reports from two samples of public sector organizations. The assessment reports were analyzed with a quantitative approach in order to investigate correlations among enablers and results for the CAF and SIQ excellence models. The assigned scores to each criterion and sub-criterion in the assessment reports were considered. Canonical correlation was used for data analysis. The paper enables to identify relationship between enablers and results for both the CAF and SIQ models. In particular, it emerged that the correlation is higher for the SIQ model than for the CAF. The squared canonical loading explains which variable contribute most to the variance of the enablers respectively results for the two models. The authors focus on the identification of reasons to the fact that the enablers of the SIQ model to a larger extent explain the variance in the results. This cross-country study of assessments based on excellence models, identify relations between enablers and results of the CAF and SIQ models, highlighting differences and similarities. Further, as one model is adapted to a specific sector and one is generic, the study allows for elaborations on the feasibility of sector specific adaptations of excellence models.