Measuring quality performance : towards an adequate representation model for quality management tools

The EFQM framework is an heuristic complex of notions and ideas about a general relationship between leadership and business results. In an earlier analysis a broad hypothesis about the nomological structure of the enablers in the EFQM framework was subjected to a test. In this context the available information on the use of quality management tools was used as an extemal criterion for the validity ofthis hypothesis (Dijkstra, 1997). However, in contrast with our expectations, the representation ofQMT (quality management tools) variables by means of a specific sealing model appeared not to be a useful instrument of validation. After a review of earlier results, this paper discusses some problems in connection with the measurement and representation oftools, in order to classify organizations with respect to their level of quality management