A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for EvaluatingBusiness Excellence ‎Frameworks for The Indian Automotive Sector: A Qualitative Assessment

  • Authors

    • Eugene J Research Scholar ‎ Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, ‎ Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu – 603203, India
    • Dr. Arivazhagan, R. Associate Professor Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, ‎ Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu – 603203, India
    https://doi.org/10.14419/70zg8n40

    Received date: December 3, 2025

    Accepted date: December 8, 2025

    Published date: December 12, 2025

  • Business Excellence Frameworks; Industry 4.0 and Quality 4.0; Automotive Supplier ‎Development; EFQM; MBNQA; Deming Prize; Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM); ‎TOPSIS; COPRAS; Digital Transformation; Extended Business Excellence Framework ‎‎(EBEF)‎.

  • Abstract

    The Indian automotive component sector is undergoing rapid transformation. It is driven by ‎intensified global competition, stringent OEM expectations, and the accelerated adoption of ‎Industry 4.0 technologies. Classical Business Excellence Frameworks (BEFs)—such as ‎EFQM, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA), and the Deming Prize—‎have traditionally supported excellence initiatives; however, their suitability within today’s ‎digitally evolving and culturally complex Indian manufacturing context remains unclear. Based ‎on these gaps, an Extended Business Excellence Framework (EBEF) was developed, ‎integrating digital transformation, information standardization, sustainability, and enhanced ‎PDCA cycles. This study evaluates these various BEFs using qualitative practitioner insights ‎and structured Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. Semi-structured interviews ‎with 15 senior automotive leaders identified six major evaluation criteria: ease of ‎implementation, cultural adaptability, effectiveness, efficiency, speed and cost . Using real-‎number TOPSIS and COPRAS analyses, the EBEF consistently outperformed classical BEFs, ‎with sensitivity and volatility analysis confirming its robustness. The findings offer a ‎contemporary, industry-aligned excellence model capable of supporting Indian automotive ‎suppliers in transitioning to Quality 4.0 environments‎.

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  • How to Cite

    J, E., & R. , D. A. . (2025). A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for EvaluatingBusiness Excellence ‎Frameworks for The Indian Automotive Sector: A Qualitative Assessment. International Journal of Accounting and Economics Studies, 12(8), 313-326. https://doi.org/10.14419/70zg8n40