Benchmarking in the UK: an empirical study of practitioners and academics

Presents the results of a study undertaken to investigate the status of benchmarking within the UK. Results from primary research show that some very successful projects have been undertaken, and that levels of interest among practitioners is high. Presents evidence of the impact of benchmarking projects on performance improvement, and identifies the critical factors for transfer of best practices between organizations. Results also reveal, however, that benchmarking may not be so well established as has been suggested within the literature. Presents evidence to show current trends, which reveal that many projects are narrowly focused, may be wrongly selected, and may miss vital opportunities for improvement. Identifies four areas for future discussion and research. These consider the important areas of the link between benchmarking and the strategic planning process, the development of customer benchmarking methods, the critical factors for transferring best practices across organizations, and the adaptation to post‐modern attitudes to benchmarking.