Developing performance networks to improve the benchmarking process — Action Research for Productivity Improvement

Benchmarking is related to many areas of interest when improving the competitiveness of an industrial enterprise or any other activity center which functions under market economic conditions. An important element in gaining full benefit from a benchmarking process is the ability to implement cross functional activities and manage change. This ability may be improved by the implementation of performance networks which are aligned according to tasks and core competences. This paper discusses a framework for implementing performance networks and assessment of the performance network maturity stages, which is important if feasible improvement actions are to be initiated. The paper is based on results from a Danish research project in an industrial enterprise.