What is the evolution of benchmarking practices? This paper reviews the literature on benchmarking practices and theory from 1986 to 2000, exploring its evolution from a process and activity orientation to a broader focus encompassing strategies and systems. The review highligths a key challenge: the field of benchmarking still lacks robust theoretical developments. Earlier benchmarking efforts emphasized process and activity improvement. Recent trends, however, indicate a scope expansion to include strategies and systems in benchmarking practices. To further its development and applications, theoretical growth is still needed in benchmarking. Overall, this review contributes to a clearer understanding of benchmarking's trajectory, highlighting the need for continued theoretical advancement to guide its diverse applications.
Given the focus of Benchmarking: An International Journal is on benchmarking methodologies and their application, this review of benchmarking practices and theory directly aligns. By tracing the field's evolution and identifying the need for further theoretical development, the paper contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding benchmarking within the journal.