Track: Operations Management

Abstract

Business Excellence Models (BEMs) are widely recognized today as effective tools for improving organizational performance across different sectors. In Saudi Arabia, there has been a limited adaptation of BEMs among nonprofit organizations due to various barriers. This paper aims at developing an in-depth understanding of critical barriers hindering the adaptation of these models in Saudi nonprofit organizations.  Also, it focused on identifying critical success factors for implementing BEMs in these organizations. The review of the literature has identified thirty-six (36) BEMs implementation critical success factors and fifteen (15) barriers that are typically preventing organizations from adapting BEMs. A survey was launched among nonprofit organizations in Saudi Arabia to assess the degree of criticality of identified factors among organizations within the sector. This study has found lack of: a culture of continuous improvement, organization strategy, qualified employees, customer orientation and, clear organizational roles and responsibilities as the top five (5) barriers for implementing BEMs in Saudi Nonprofit organizations. On the other hand, this study has also identified data analysis and reporting capabilities, effective organizational communication capabilities, the implementation strategy and approach, the use of benchmarking, and adapting a clear governance framework as the top five (5) success factors when implementing BEMs in Saudi nonprofit organizations.