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An analysis of a structured benchmarking project: The case of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s benchmarking project

Ahmad Abdullah Al Nuseirat (Dubai Government Excellence Program, Office of the Executive Council, Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Zeyad Mohammad El Kahlout (Dubai Government Excellence Program, Office of the Executive Council, Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Ahmed Abbas (Centre for Organisational Excellence Research, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand)
Dotun Adebanjo (Business School, University of Greenwich, London, UK)
Prattana Punnakitikashem (College of Management, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand)
Robin Mann (Centre for Organisational Excellence Research, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand)

Benchmarking: An International Journal

ISSN: 1463-5771

Article publication date: 12 February 2019

Issue publication date: 8 July 2019

701

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a benchmarking project carried out by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) as part of a structured benchmarking initiative. The project was based on the TRADE benchmarking methodology and this paper examines the tools, activities and outcomes that relate to each stage of the adopted methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on case study methodology. Data were collected from various sources including analysis of project reports written by DEWA’s benchmarking team reporting on their activities during the project. Data were also collected from four project presentations given at different stages of the project. In addition, the research team held three meetings with the DEWA benchmarking team at different stages of the benchmarking project.

Findings

The results show the key challenges and successes faced during each stage of the benchmarking project. It indicates the actions taken to overcome the challenges and the role played by internal and external stakeholders in facilitating the success of the benchmarking project.

Practical implications

The study presents information that would guide organisations that wish to carry out a benchmarking project – and particularly those implementing benchmarking for the first time. The study provides a summary of the key lessons learnt by DEWA’s benchmarking team as a guide for other organisations.

Originality/value

Academic research has not adequately examined and analysed the stage-by-stage elements of a benchmarking project from the perspective of the implementing organisation. This study addresses this gap by detailing and analysing the experiences of a benchmarking project by tracking the stage-by-stage activities of the benchmarking team.

Keywords

Citation

Al Nuseirat, A.A., El Kahlout, Z.M., Abbas, A., Adebanjo, D., Punnakitikashem, P. and Mann, R. (2019), "An analysis of a structured benchmarking project: The case of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s benchmarking project", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 26 No. 5, pp. 1431-1450. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-02-2018-0032

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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