The burgeoning of benchmarking in British local government: The value of “learning by looking” in the public services
Benchmarking for Quality Management & Technology
ISSN: 1351-3036
Article publication date: 1 December 1998
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the current state of play of benchmarking in local government in the UK. It traces a trajectory of development for local authorities that diverges from that of the corporate private sector, in terms of the importance of external political drivers. A number of key constraints are identified that are together blocking the further development of benchmarking in the sector. These include a lack of awareness of potential scope; problems in securing needed skills; satisficing and low aspiration levels reducing the potential gain from benchmarking; and a marked lack of formal evaluation. Notwithstanding recent growth, a legitimate degree of scepticism remains in many local authorities as to the public value to be derived from benchmarking.
Keywords
Citation
Davis, P. (1998), "The burgeoning of benchmarking in British local government: The value of “learning by looking” in the public services", Benchmarking for Quality Management & Technology, Vol. 5 No. 4, pp. 260-270. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635779810245099
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited