Assessing a quality model for the social sector: an empirical study of the EQUASS model
Author
Melão, Nuno
Bastida Vialcanet, Ramon
Marimon, Frederic
Publication date
2017-11-15ISSN
1478-3363
Abstract
It is widely recognised that there is a shortage of empirical studies on quality management about the social sector. This research contributes to address this gap by (i) empirically analysing the fitness of the model underlying European Quality in Social Services (EQUASS), a quality management and excellence programme for social services across Europe, and (ii) proposing a model with an improved fit. It uses a structural equation modelling approach on a sample of 339 external audits from 32 European organisations that were awarded an EQUASS recognition or certification between 2012 and 2015. Results reveal that the EQUASS model (2012 version) does not fit with the sample collected. An improved model with seven constructs is proposed, which shows excellent psychometric properties and good fit indexes. Leadership and result orientation play a significant role as antecedents of the orientation to persons, while staff plays a mediator role. This research provides a better understanding of the causal relationships between quality management practices embedded in the EQUASS model, as well as a simpler alternative model that is especially suited to small and medium-sized social service providers, which represent the majority of the organisations in social sector.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Accepted version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
33 - Economics. Economic science
36 - Safeguarding the mental and material necessities of life
Keywords
EQUASS
Control de qualitat
Quality control
Control de calidad
Entidades sin ánimo de lucro
Entitats sense ànim de lucre
Nonprofit organizations
Serveis socials
Human services
Servicios sociales
Pages
33
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Collection
30;1-2
Is part of
Total Quality Management & Business Excellence
Citation
Melão, Nuno; Bastida Vialcanet, Ramon; Marimon Viadiu, Frederic. «Assessing a quality model for the social sector: an empirical study of the EQUASS model». Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 2017, vol. 30, núm. 1-2, p. 221-243. Disponible en: <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14783363.2017.1401459?scroll=top&needAccess=true>. Fecha de acceso: 02 jul. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2017.1401459
Note
This is an original manuscript / preprint of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Total Quality Management & Business Excellence on 15/11/2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14783363.2017.1401459?journalCode=ctqm20.
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