Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze and benchmark the strategic approaches utilized by Portuguese small and medium enterprises manufacturing organizations in response to the competitive pressures in the European and global markets. Design/methodology/approach – For the purpose...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer small to medium‐sized organizations (SMOs) with global business aspirations an innovative approach to performance measurement and management. Design/methodology/approach – The first phase of this research is based on a literature review. The...

The literature related to benchmarking practices and theory was reviewed from 1986 to 2000. The earlier stages of benchmarking developments stressed a process and/or activity orientation. Recently, however, the scope of benchmarking appears to have expanded to include strategies and systems....

Investigates several facets of the implementation of just‐in‐time (JIT) using a two‐tiered empirical approach that included a field study and a mailed survey. The 277 respondents to the survey included 130 manufacturing organizations, 61 service organizations and 86 public sector...

Links the application of benchmarking to the hotel′s ability to achieve continuous quality improvements. Defines both the operating and service subsystems of the hotel and clearly indicates specific methods for quality improvement in each. Places emphasis on the role of upper management in the...