Benchmarking for SMEs: toward a competitive rating system

The main aim of this paper is to develop a qualitative and quantitative Benchmarking model for SMEs. The Benchmarking is a methodology base on a comparison among performances born in some international industrial groups to answer to the strong competitive dynamics on the 70s. This approach to a model of territorial benchmarking for SME is based on a research project developed by “CNA Emilia Romagna”, “Ecipar” and “CNA Innovazione” with the scientific supervision of the University of Milan and the Association Benchmarking for Success (Italy) in the perspective to support competitiveness, innovation and development of SMEs’ businesses. The purpose of this project is to develop an integrated model of territorial benchmarking that allows estimating the value of the interaction processes that are developed in a specific territory and that help defining the potential business and the dynamic capability of a firm. The database with all budget data of the SMEs is offered by CNA itself. This database includes more or less 30,000 enterprises divided by firms with ordinary accounting (with data about economic account and statement of assets and liability) and with simplified accounting (with data about economic accou