The effect of `EFQM Framework for Innovation´ on competitiveness in the education sector

This year is dedicated to `Creativity and Innovation´. Whole Europe will concentrate on these `two words´ in 2009. So will Hungary. Due to the economic crisis that afflicts our word, the inventive ideas about how to come over such a calamity are of high importance and have not been that vital for a very long time. Beside the different financial packages, reduced expenses and the attempt to retain workplaces (e.g. with 4-day-long work weeks) it is usually emphasized that continuous innovation could help the companies (and their employees) survive the crisis. The aim of this article is to present an effective tool, the so-called EFQM Excellence Model to the education sector for how to come over this recession. What is this Model about? How can it contribute to the success of educational institutions? In what way can educational institutions use the Model and the process of Self-Assessment to improve performance and how can they benefit from making applications for e.g. the Hungarian Quality Award? These questio ns are aimed to be answered first. Then I will define the innovation - according to the EFQM Framework for Innovation. This article gives examples to the non-profit area by presenting a primary research in the third part. Thus, the main emphasise is on the education sector. I have also examined an educational institution that was given the Hungarian Quality Award last year - as the first (and till today the last) educational institution -, in order to show the evidence for the improved competitiveness in case of an educational institution that uses the EFQM Excellence Model and the Self-assessment.