A theory of benchmarking

Abstract

Background: Benchmarking is a well established and respected mechanism that contributes to organisational improvement. Its epistemology demonstrates it to be theoretically underdetermined with literature focusing on pragmatism and praxis. Benchmarking's critics hold it to be a-theoretical; failing to provide its practitioners with a reliable basis for distinguishing between effective and ineffective efforts. Purpose: To review Benchmarking's epistemology and identify the necessary or sufficient methodological elements contributing to its effectiveness and to establish them within an acceptable theoretical framework. Approach: A causal approach is applied to the objectives of organisational benchmarking's current definitions and implementation frameworks. The resulting theoretical framework is then validated against current exemplary benchmarking praxis to explain its effectiveness and satisfy historical criticisms. Central to the approach is the application of supervenience and entailment relationships between benchmarking parties within the umbrella of Peircean Causation to determine the feasibility of a benchmarking proposition. Findings: Benchmarking's a priori effectiveness (sufficiency) can be established from an organisational axiom and five logical conditions. This research establishes a new encompassing definition of benchmarking reduces its typology to a single consistent form and establishes an Effective Benchmarking Process that explains current practices and addresses historical criticisms. These logical conditions also explain the effectiveness of empirical frameworks such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and ISO 9000. iii Research A theoretical foundation for benchmarking provides a platform for Implications: extending the theory of organisational improvement. Practical A theoretical foundation for benchmarking has significant potential to Implications: enhance organisational sustainability by reducing wasted effort. Originality: This research focuses on the causal linkages between benchmarking and organisational sustainability. The research establishes a new definition of benchmarking, specifies necessary and sufficient conditions for its application and frames practitioner efforts within an Effective Benchmarking Process (EBP).

A structured scenario approach to multi-screen ecosystem forecasting in Korean communications market

“…The structured ecosystem forecasting procedure generates much more stable forecasts in such a way that more stable pillar variables are derived and forecasted first and then used to forecast the subsequent individual variableŝ Historical benchmarking is well fitted to our purpose wherever possible [54,55]. This compares current or future performance against the past.…”

Benchmarking by Item Response Theory (BIRTH)

“…O benchmarking é uma técnica relevante e aplicável nas empresas, e vem sendo estudada de forma conceitual (FONG; CHENG; HO, 1998, BHUTTA;HUQ, 1999, YASIN, 2002JAGADEESH, 2003, ANAND;KODALI, 2008, MORIARTY, 2011 com o foco no entendimento e modificações no processo de aplicação da técnica. São diversas as formas apresentadas para realizar o processo de benchmarking, e estas técnicas geram resultados qualitativos e não quantitativos.…”

Findings from European Benchmarking Exercises on E-Learning: Value and Impact

“…This study uses as points for departure the experiences of two European benchmarking initiatives; E-xcellence+, which was carried out by the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) (Ossiannilsson & Landgren, in press;Ubachs, 2009;Williams & Brown, 2009) and the e-learning benchmarking exercise, carried out by the European Centre for Strategic Management of Universities (ESMU) (Comba et al, 2010;Ossiannilsson & Landgren, in press;Williams & Rotheram, 2010). Moriarty (2008) argued that although the literature on benchmarking is overwhelming, research and evidence on the value and impact of benchmarking is still missing. This research aims to contribute to the formation of a deeper understanding and knowledge of the value and impact of benchmarking e-learning in higher education.…”