Firms bent on enhancing growth and global competitiveness
The Hong Kong Productivity Council's award for productivity recognises organisations that strive for continuous improvement in service productivity, to enhance sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
Last year, the award for pro ductivity went to the Hang Seng Bank, which the adjudicators described as having achieved 'a comprehensive, fully deployed, mature service productivity improvement process that generates positive results for customers, shareholders and employees'.
The judges added that the bank's systems were fully aligned with its business strategy, and managed by an exceptional lead ership. In many areas, such as executive leadership, customer focus, human resource systems, process improvement, information technology and cost to income ratio, the bank demonstrated 'world-class systems and results'.
In 1998, the award for productivity went to the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) which achieved high scores in all four criteria. The adjudicators said the corporation demonstrated strong leadership, with a clear objective at the outset of 'safety' and 'cost', which has become a driving force in its operational process.
Overall, the company had sustained a high level of productivity over an extended period of time.
In 1997, the first year of the Hong Kong Awards for Services, the productivity award went to the Hong Kong and China Gas Company, which earned similar plaudits from the judges.
Applicants for this year's prize had to submit a 20-page report, including supplementary information, and a three-page business overview.
Besides screening applications, the adjudicating team met with chief executive officers, top management and authorised staff to cross-check information and clarify points, wherever necessary.
Shortlisted applicants then met with an assessment team, led by an expert from the United States, that visited the organisations' Hong Kong operations. The assessors interviewed CEOs, heads of departments and employees, to verify the achieve ments claimed in the application forms.
A spokesman for the organisers said:
'Productivity is the hallmark of Hong Kong enterprises. This award gives applicants an opportunity to benchmark with one another, and compare their processes and practices in enhancing service productivity against the award criteria.'
