Al Shemaili, Shaikha Rashed2013-07-172013-07-172009-0220050038http://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/304DISSERTATION WITH DISTINCTIONThe purpose of this research is to analyze the existing the self-assessment practices in Ras Al Khaimah Government Departments in the United Arab Emirates. The study aims at identifying self-assessment objectives, implementation benefits and difficulties and lessons learnt. An exploratory case study of three departments with an experience in self-assessment application was analyzed. The research was carried out by conducted semi-structured interviews which were directed towards understanding the practical implementation of self-assessment. A quantitative approach was used to get respondents’ opinions about the effectiveness of self-assessment. A questionnaire was distributed in ten departments to test the variables of self-assessment process and aimed at testing of the research hypotheses: The research results showed a successful practice of self-assessment implementation in the studied departments. It was found that self assessment led to organizational improvement in several areas. It was also found that the planning and preparation phase of self-assessment was underestimated by the management which cased problems in the other stages. Based on the findings, more focus should be given to planning and preparation phase. Pro-forma approach was suggested as an alternative self-assessment tool towards continuous improvement and to routinze the development process. This study contributes significantly to other public organizations in the UAE as they would benefit from the current practices of self-assessment in similar organizations, in similar environment and culture.enself-assessmentEFQM excellence modelpublic sectorUnited Arab Emirates (UAE)Dissertation