ABSTRACT / New concepts and tools for defining coherent systems of policy objectives and for evaluating actions and programmes are essential for the development of new forms of governance in Europe. The concept of sustainable development also points in this direction; the obligation to conceive and implement all European policies and programmes in accordance with the principles of sustainable development makes the development of appropriate assessment and management tools even more urgent. In order to be useful in multi-level European governance structures they have to fulfil a number of conditions. Sustainable Quality Management® (SQM) is a coherent system for the conception, management and evaluation of sustainable development processes that was developed over the course of a series of European research and consultancy projects. The SQM system includes concepts, methods and operational tools that have proved to be applicable and comprehensible in different European cultures. A ‘common language’ facilitates the exchange of experiences and views between different contexts. Practical applications have shown that it is not always easy to introduce such new management thinking in established administrative structures but that it is possible to design operational tools that maintain the innovative and challenging character of the concept of sustainable development

Schleicher-Tappeser, R. (2002): Assessing Sustainable Development in the EU – The SQM approach in the context of structural funds. Greener Management International, Issue 36.

Journal Article