Innovation and Quality as the Tools for Managing for the Sustained Success

The paper is aimed at the proposition of simple balanced framework for managing for the sustained success of selected organisation (faculty). The audit of innovation system was elaborated to examine the current situation and to set the base for further proposal of innovation-quality map, strategic map, and quality framework for managing for sustained success over the long term. Design/methodology/approach: The innovation audit, using the standardised set of questions, was performed to examine the current situation in the innovation system at the faculty. The gap analysis of the results helped to review and summarise the needs and requirements of the faculty to implement them into innovation-quality map. Current process map and the recommendations from ISO 9004:2009 were critically assessed; the innovation and quality indicators were elaborated so that the innovation and quality performance management can be joined. Based on the previous, the total balanced quality framework was proposed, helping the faculty to manage the sustained success in a systematic way. Findings: The faculty has the capability of managing the innovation but still lacks the systematic and integrated approach. The elaboration of innovation-quality map, by setting the innovation and quality indicators and initiatives, helped to join these two preconditions for the sustained success. The map was further integrated into the strategic map as a part of innovative processes in the internal perspective of balanced scorecard conception. As no similar tool exists, the total balanced quality framework was proposed. The paper is practically oriented and can help the faculty to maintain its quality management system and manage it in connection with the innovations.Research/practical implications: The research evidence came mostly from the secondary literature review, structured interviews with the quality managers together with the brainstorming method, author´s own experience and standardised set of questions used in the innovation audit. The main practical implication of this practitioner paper lies in the proposition of the innovation-quality map, strategic map, and the total balanced quality framework as the base for further building of quality management system in the organisation with the link to innovation. The other outcome of the paper is the proposition of key steps (framework) for implementing the total quality principles in the organisation.Originality/value: The main added value of the paper is the proposition of the innovation-quality map and the strategic map of the organisation as the precondition for further building of total quality management system. No other similar study exists in this field of interest.