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En route to a theory of benchmarking

En route to a theory of benchmarking Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the epistemology of benchmarking and identify methodological elements of a theory of benchmarking. Design/methodology/approach – A thematic approach is applied to origins, primal and functional definitions of benchmarking. Findings – Benchmarking remains theoretically underdetermined, with publications focusing on pragmatism and praxis rather than epistemology. Analysis of the literature leads to a new definition of benchmarking focusing around the teleological processes that lead to state‐transformation of organizations. Research limitations/implications – A theoretical foundation for benchmarking should be consistent with current organizational paradigms. Going forward the paper aims to develop a theory of benchmarking based on illustrative model derived from the thematic review. Practical implications – The paper initiates the development of a more rigorous theoretical base for future benchmarking practice, which will strengthen organizations' business cases for undertaking such processes. Originality/value – Recasts much of the extant literature in beginning to focus on the fundamentals of benchmarking. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Benchmarking: An International Journal Emerald Publishing

En route to a theory of benchmarking

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1463-5771
DOI
10.1108/14635770910972423
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the epistemology of benchmarking and identify methodological elements of a theory of benchmarking. Design/methodology/approach – A thematic approach is applied to origins, primal and functional definitions of benchmarking. Findings – Benchmarking remains theoretically underdetermined, with publications focusing on pragmatism and praxis rather than epistemology. Analysis of the literature leads to a new definition of benchmarking focusing around the teleological processes that lead to state‐transformation of organizations. Research limitations/implications – A theoretical foundation for benchmarking should be consistent with current organizational paradigms. Going forward the paper aims to develop a theory of benchmarking based on illustrative model derived from the thematic review. Practical implications – The paper initiates the development of a more rigorous theoretical base for future benchmarking practice, which will strengthen organizations' business cases for undertaking such processes. Originality/value – Recasts much of the extant literature in beginning to focus on the fundamentals of benchmarking.

Journal

Benchmarking: An International Journal – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jul 10, 2009

Keywords: Benchmarking; Best practice; Organizational theory; Epistemology

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