Abstract:

This study examined quality management and process improvement practices that distinguish award-winning small business firms, aiming to identify patterns linked to organizational excellence. Small enterprises typically face significant resource constraints, making evidence-based strategies essential for effectively allocating limited resources to high-impact improvement initiatives. Utilizing applications from recipients of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award the only national quality award formally presented by the President of the United States this research leveraged ATLAS.ti qualitative data analysis software to systematically conduct text-mining and content analysis. The coding framework was informed by established scholarship on quality management and the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge (CSSBB). Through iterative coding and comparative analysis, the study identified recurring quality management practices and process improvement techniques associated with superior organizational performance. The findings enhance the literature on small firm excellence by empirically validating which quality practices are most frequently and effectively implemented in successful small business contexts, thus advancing theoretical understanding of quality-driven competitiveness in resource-constrained environments. Additionally, the study presents a practical benchmark for practitioners seeking to adopt proven quality management practices that bolster operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and long-term sustainability.