Present economic environment, which is rapidly changing, confronts companies, organisations and institutions with a problem how to protect a long — term competitiveness. A crucial factor is the quality of products and services. It means to bring new methods of management into practice, which is beneficial but these changes must not be autotelic. The main goal is to increase an efficiency, operationality and quality. In terms of modern instruments and methods of management we often meet with ideas like strategic management, TQM (total quality management), knowledge management, human resources management, learnig organisation, business intelligence, balance scorecard.