A Collaborative Approach to Research in Performance Excellence

By John R. Latham, Monfort Institute at the University of Northern Colorado

Abstract:

This article describes a collaborative approach initiated by the Monfort Institute at the University of Northern Colorado to engage high-level practitioners of performance excellence and academic researchers to: a) identify the external and internal dilemmas facing practitioners in high-performing organizations; b) develop a purposeful research agenda that addresses both the needs and interests of practitioners and researchers; and c) develop a concept of operations to address the research agenda. High-performing organizations face many external pressures from customers, investors, suppliers and partners, and the public. In addition, they face internal challenges including leadership and workforce turnover, cultural challenges, and limited understanding of the continuous refinement and integration of management systems at the upper levels of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) scoring scale. This initiative resulted in a viable research agenda of value to practitioners and researchers to better understand organizational performance excellence and improvement approaches and expand research efforts in quality management. Several projects are currently in process through the Monfort Institute, and plans for continued collaboration have been developed.

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Quality Management Journal is published by the American Society for Quality.