Benchmarking
In TQM, using benchmarking may bring many advantages. According to Grant (1996) to identify and value the capabilities of an enterprise, its managers must analyse it deeply, widely and and from a different perspective. To be objective, it is crucial to establish quantifiable measurement for result that permit the comparison from one enterprise to another. Benchmarking is a tool used to value and develop organization capabilities by means of a detailed comparison between enterprises and organizations.
For Arbide (1993): “Benchmarking is the extensive and constant process of every company function which measures our products, services and activities in general with those of our competitors and/or with those enterprises recognized as market leaders”. Moreover: “The final goal in the process of benchmarking is leadership in quality areas, product reliability and perceived cost by the market and clients.”
Benchmarking
Xerox: Benchmarking played a central role in reviving Xerox in the 80's. The integrating elements of benchmarking and the participation of employees is found in the model of total quality management of fuji-Xerox, through which was spawned Leadership Through Quality in 1983.
