About Special Awards for SMEs

Special Award for SMEs will be presented to organizations that have achieved outstanding standards of quality and made a lasting commitment to the process of quality management. Additionally, Citation Awards may be offered to recognize organizations that have incorporated the values and principles in relation to "Business with Purpose" and sustainability as a core strategy and have effectively driven positive impact to the organization itself and society at large.

All SMEs registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance, are eligible to apply for this Award. SMEs are defined to be any industries and businesses which employ not more than 300 persons in Hong Kong.
Applicants who have not entered the Quality Award in the same year.
All Subunits of larger (parent) organizations may apply for the Award if they are sufficient in their own right to be examined in all seven Criteria Categories. An applicant should have substantial authority to make major administrative and operational decisions, but it may receive policy direction and oversight from the parent organization. It should be a discrete business entity that is readily distinguishable from other parts of the parent organization. Normally, aspects such as the distinctiveness of business nature/offerings and uniqueness of business strategies in comparison with other parts of the parent organization will be considered. An organization cannot send more than one subunit to enter the Award in the same year.

^{The Hong Kong Management Association reserves the right to make the final and binding decision on the
eligibility of applicants.}

Submission provided by applicant. The assessment will be in the following stages:

STAGE 1 ASSESSMENT OF WRITTEN SUBMISSION

All applicants have to submit an Written Submission, in Question and Answer format.

STAGE 2 SITE VISIT

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a two-hour Site Visit. During the Site Visit, the examiners will interview employees and review pertinent records and date. The objective is to verify the information provided in the Written Submission and to answer questions raised during the board's review. The choice of dates will be decided by the Board of Examiners. In the event of a Site Visit, the applicant must provide the necessary transportation , accommodation (if applicable) and other logistical arrangements to enable the smooth conduct of the Site Visit.

The formal announcement and award presentation ceremony will take place at the Quality Award Presentation Ceremony.

To ensure that Award applicants will gain maximum benefit from participation in the Quality Award, a nominal Application Fee of HK$2,800 will be charged upon the submission of the Application Form. The fee covers three complimentary seats at the Quality Award Seminar, one seat at the Award Presentation Dinner, and a 60-minute complimentary private workshop on TQM.

Click here to download the Application Form and here to download the Award Flyer.