Benchmarking the benchmarking models

Purpose – A review of benchmarking literature revealed that there are different types of benchmarking and a plethora of benchmarking process models. In some cases, a model has been uniquely developed for performing a particular type of benchmarking. This poses the following problems: it can create confusion among the users as to whether they should use only the unique benchmarking model that has been developed for particular type or they can use any model for any type of benchmarking; a user may find it difficult when it becomes necessary to choose a best model from the available models, as each model varies in terms of the number of phases involved, number of steps involved, application, etc. Hence, this paper aims to question the fundamental classification scheme of benchmarking and thereby the unique benchmarking models that are developed for each type of benchmarking. Further it aims to propose a universal benchmarking model, which can be applied for all types of benchmarking. Design/methodology/approach – The fundamental benchmarking model developed by Camp has been used to benchmark the existing models, irrespective of the type of benchmarking, to identify the best practices in benchmarking. Findings – Benchmarking the benchmarking models revealed about 71 steps in which around 13 steps have been addressed by many researchers. The remaining unique steps were considered to be the best practices in benchmarking. Research limitations/implications – The proposed model is highly conceptual and it requires validation by implementing the same in an organization to understand its effectiveness. Originality/value – Though some of the methodologies used in this paper are already available in the literature, their context of application in the field of benchmarking is new. For example, utilizing the benchmarking process itself to improve the existing benchmarking process is an original concept.