The effect of benchmarking reasons on benchmarking success: An empirical study on public universities

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore benchmarking reasons and their effects on benchmarking success from the perspectives of university managers in different management levels. Six reasons were examined for their role in benchmarking success. These reasons are top management support, university internal assessment, employee participation, benchmarking benefits, benchmarking competitor, and benchmarking partner. Data were gathered by a questionnaire distributed to managers from all levels in public universities. The questionnaire was developed based on related works on benchmarking. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed to the sample members and 167 questionnaires were returned with a response rate of 83.5%. The results indicated university internal assessment is the most influential reason for benchmarking success, followed by benchmarking benefits, benchmarking partner, top management support, and finally, employee participation. It was found that benchmarking competitors had no effect on benchmarking success. Therefore, universities are called for considering such reasons when heading for benchmarking. Researchers also are requested to validate such findings and to explore more reasons for benchmarking success.