Implications of the EFQM Model as a Strategic Management Tool in Practice: A Case of Slovak Tourism Sector

Abstract

In this paper, the emphasis is put on the issue of using one of the most comprehensive management tool assessing and improving the overall enterprise performance - the EFQM Excellence Model. The aim of paper was to reveal the use of above mentioned management tool within the 600 tourism-related enterprises operating in Slovakia and identify barriers complicating the application of EFQM Model while managing and improving their overall performance. The research was based on formulated hypotheses, which were verified by appropriate statistical methods, namely the population proportion method and the Chi-square method of independence. Based on the results of H1 verification, the EFQM Model was used by less than 10% of Slovak tourism-related enterprises. A statistically significant relationship between the size of tourism-related enterprise and the use of EFQM Model, analysed within the H2, was not confirmed. The last analysed H3 was focused on the form of business ownership and the use of EFQM Model. Also in this case, no statistically significant relationship between these variables was proven. By using the standard deviation method, we found that the lack of financial and personnel resources is one of the greatest obstacles within the application of this model. Our research pointed out the low and insufficient use of the EFQM Model in business practice. Therefore, our intention is to present this model as a modern, innovative management tool assessing not only financial, but also non-financial aspects of the enterprise performance. Mapping the actual use of EFQM Model in Slovak tourism-related enterprises can be considered as one of the most significant findings of this paper, which may form the basis for further research in this area.