Applying the business excellence model to a research organization

A research-specific application of the well-known EFQM Business Excellence model has been experimented with at Philips Research Labs and Shell Exploratory Research. The research-specific application of the model is predominantly based on two choices: taking a research perspective rather than an R&D or development perspective, and considering a research organization as a culture instead of, for instance, a machine or an organism. the model was operationalized into a set of tangible recommendations that proved to be relevant to research management, specifically to first-line supervisors of research groups. This article presents recommendations that will assist industrial labs struggling with that stubborn question: what exactly does quality management in research mean?