Proposed applicable structure for benchmarking in holding organizations

Abstract

Successful and excellence organizations are constantly learning from their experiences and other organizations. So, to institutionalize the learning process systematically and consistently within the organizations, using tools such as benchmarking can actually be very useful. Benchmarking is an increasingly popular approach in the quest for increased performance, both by manufacturing and service organizations. But many others think that benchmarking is an industrial tourism or a copy and paste activity. There is a key question: what kind of applied structure is required for alignment, synergy and coordination of learning activities in organizations to achieve higher quality and productivity? and this paper presents how holding organizations, can apply their learning and practices effectively and efficiently based on an applicable structure of benchmarking including identification, selection, evaluation, consolidation and dissemination of experiences in organizations, in order to promote benchmarking culture, and improve organizational learning capacity in Iranian holding organizations. In this respect we used focus groups, expert viewpoints and field study and we collected the required data through face to face interviews, questionnaire distributed by mail and review of the scientific documents. Finally we present the applicable structure and related system of benchmarking in the holding organization and subordinate units based on a field study, expert's opinions and focus groups discussions.