MANAGING BENCHMARKING IN A CORPORATE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

<p>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Most new generation organisations have management models and processes for measuring and managing organisational performance. However, the application of these models and the direction the company needs to take are not always clearly established. Benchmarking can be defined as the search for industry best practices that lead to superior performance. The emphasis is on “best” and “superior”. There are no limitations on the search; the more creative the thinking, the greater the potential reward. Unlike traditional competitive analysis that focuses on outputs, benchmarking is applied to key operational processes within the business. Processes are compared and the best process is adapted into the organisation. Benchmarking is not guaranteed to be successful though, it needs to be managed and nurtured in the organisation and allowed to grow throughout the organisation to finally become a way of life. It also needs to be integrated into key business processes in order to ensure that the benefits can be reaped into the distant future. This paper provide guidelines for creating, managing and sustaining a benchmarking capability in a corporation.</p><p>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die nuwe generasie van ondernemings beskik oor bestuursmodelle en –prosesse wat meting en die bestuur van ondernemingsvertoning in die hand werk. Die wyse waarop die modelle toegepas word en hoe die onderneming sy besluite moet vorm is nog nie deeglik uitgetrap nie. Praktykvergelykings ("Benchmarking") word beskryf as die soeke na beste bedryfspraktyke wat lei tot uitstekende vertoning. Die klem word geplaas op die woorde "beste" en "uitstekende". Die soektog word geensins beperk nie; hoe meer kreatief die benadering, des te beter is die potensiële beloning. Waar tradisionele mededingingsnanalise ondernemingsuitsette onder die loep neem word praktykvergelyking togepas op sleutelprosesse in die bedryf van die onderneming. Prosesse word met mekaar vergelyk om die beste praktyk te kan volg. So 'n gestruktureerde leerproses lei die onderneming langs 'n kontinue weg van verbetering tot by die "beste" praktyk. Praktykvergelyking moet bestuur en vertroetel word om pos te vat as 'n bestaanswyse van die onderneming. Dit moet veral deel vorm van die onderneming se sleutelprosesse sodat voordele daarvan in die toekoms verseker kan word. Hierdie navorsing voorsien riglyne vir die daarstelling, bestuur en handhawing van praktykvergelyking as 'n vaste komponent van die onderneming se kultuur.</p>