Quality awards and performance: is there a relationship?

Purpose The aim of this paper is to determine whether firms that have received quality awards (understood as an indicator of the implementation of quality systems) obtain higher profitability than those that have not. Design/methodology/approach The study was performed on a sample of Spanish firms that received TQM prizes at the national or regional level between 1997 and 2003 and a sample of control firms for drawing comparisons. Findings The work suggests that pioneer firms that applied this innovation are those that achieved profitability, especially when the model resembles in cases where the EFQM model. Practical implications The study may provide firms and institutions with some useful guidelines for the planning of future actions to promote the adoption of these management systems. Originality/value The paper analyses whether the results are influenced by factors such as the time when the award is achieved, the sector to which the firm belongs, or the nature of the award.