Title: Benchmarking ESSQ management system through tailored maturity model

Authors: Pekka Tervonen, Joonas Alapiha, Harri Haapasalo

Addresses: Rautaruukki Plc, P.O. Box 93, FI-92101 Raahe, Finland. ' Gemalto Plc, P.O. Box 31, FI-01741 Vantaa, Finland. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, Finland, P.O. Box 4610, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland

Abstract: This study addresses current status of ESSQ management and integration in a steel production organisation. We benchmark maturity levels with the chosen leading Finnish international companies. The examination has been done in compliance with the applied maturity model developed by the target corporation. ESSQ management in terms of leadership and innovation in Ruukki was assessed to be in the lowest, roll-over, level. Control and monitoring systems were found to be at the second lowest level, crawling. When examining the benchmarked companies through the ESSQ framework, we found that a similar framework cannot be found in any other company as such; instead, operations are distributed under different organisations. The ESSQ management framework was found to be new to other companies. Although many sources criticise system-based development, the results of this study indicate that it is nevertheless an efficient way to develop operations.

Keywords: benchmarking; enterprise development; ESSQ management; environment; safety; security; quality; management systems; maturity models; steel production; Finland; leadership; innovation; control systems; monitoring systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2009.026079

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2009 Vol.7 No.3, pp.262 - 280

Published online: 26 May 2009 *

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