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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2002

Hsiu‐Li Chen

As part of total quality management (TQM), benchmarking management has become a competitive technology taken by many successful companies. A benchmark is the value of some…

5640

Abstract

As part of total quality management (TQM), benchmarking management has become a competitive technology taken by many successful companies. A benchmark is the value of some parameters used as a reference point to compare the effectiveness of the various benchmarking processes within one corporation with another and the information obtained is used to improve the processes. In this paper, we propose a quantitative model which links performance indicators with benchmarking process to help the company establish competitive benchmarking. In recent years, industry practices have evolved their strategic and operational decisions taking customer orientation into consideration. Therefore, this study attempts to build the benchmarking from the “voice” of the customer. The comprehensive methodology we propose here is called the quality benchmarking deployment (QBD) technique. In this empirical study, we examined the CKS International Airport and found that the “convenience of transport facilities connecting to the outside”, the “interior design and layout”, and the “information service of the airport” should be priorities to be improved in performing benchmarking activities. Airport benchmarking could provide the CKS International Airport authority with a long‐term vision and a valuable strategic planning tool in airport service.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Jackie Fry, Ian Humphreys and Graham Francis

This paper aims to explore the use of best practice benchmarking in civil aviation.

6458

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the use of best practice benchmarking in civil aviation.

Design/methodology/approach

Evidence was gathered from two international questionnaire surveys of the top 200 airlines and the top 200 airports. Supplementary evidence included interviews with airline and airport managers.

Findings

The profile of responses was a good match to the samples. Benchmarking was identified as the most used performance improvement technique for both airlines and airports. Larger airlines were more likely to engage in benchmarking. Ease of usage and the cost relative to other performance improvement techniques were important factors in determining benchmarking uptake. Problems of data comparability and competitive sensitivity were raised. Airports had a greater tendency to concentrate on benchmarking with similar organisations and placed a relatively greater emphasis on its use for performance measurement over process improvement.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should include a sample of detailed case studies to investigate exactly how different airlines and airports are using benchmarking.

Practical implications

Performance measurement has become increasingly important in aviation as markets become more competitive and the number of asymmetric shocks seems to increase.

Originality/value

The surveys revealed a very high utilisation of benchmarking, although a range of activities were actually being undertaken under the banner of benchmarking. The high uptake of benchmarking is probably due, to the turbulent nature of civil aviation that has placed significant economic pressures on managers.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2009

Ian Straker, Stephen Ison, Ian Humphreys and Graham Francis

The purpose of this paper is to explore the process benefits and findings of a functional benchmarking exercise. It explores the issues surrounding the potential introduction of a…

1867

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the process benefits and findings of a functional benchmarking exercise. It explores the issues surrounding the potential introduction of a direct employee car parking financial incentive or disincentive measure at an airport, drawing on best practice from specific non‐airport organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is taken in which three different organisations are considered from a functional benchmarking perspective.

Findings

There are direct findings in terms of how to develop employee parking strategies/policies.

Research limitations/implications

This paper adds to the practical literature on functional benchmarking by presenting evidence from a benchmarking exercise of three case study organisations.

Practical implications

There are practical findings in terms of the potential benefits and limitations from a functional benchmarking exercise. There are also practical recommendations in terms of organisations seeking to develop and implement staff car parking strategies.

Originality/value

The paper provides an illustration of functional benchmarking in practice.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Anne Graham

To provide an overview of the current attitudes and practical experience of airport benchmarking.

9854

Abstract

Purpose

To provide an overview of the current attitudes and practical experience of airport benchmarking.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of benchmarking studies are critiqued. The paper considers the partial performance measures which are used from an economic, operational and environmental perspective. It also investigates more complex modelling approaches which have been undertaken to gain greater insight into an airport's overall performance. In addition an assessment is made of the role of benchmarking in airport regulation.

Findings

The paper finds that benchmarking techniques have become well established in recent years within the airport sector. However there is still some way to go in overcoming some of the problems that inhibit effective benchmarking on a truly international basis.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on methodological issues and does not discuss the findings of research in this area.

Practical implications

A very useful source of information for all researchers in academia and industry who wish to use airport benchmarking techniques.

Originality/value

The paper provides a comprehensive and unique review of the benchmarking techniques currently in use for airports.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2014

Héctor Rodríguez-Déniz and Augusto Voltes-Dorta

When large samples are used to estimate airport efficiency, clustering is a necessary step before carrying out any benchmarking analysis. However, the existing literature has paid…

1186

Abstract

Purpose

When large samples are used to estimate airport efficiency, clustering is a necessary step before carrying out any benchmarking analysis. However, the existing literature has paid little attention to developing a robust methodology for airport classification, instead relying on ad hoc techniques. In order to address this issue, this paper aims to develop a new airport clustering procedure.

Design/methodology/approach

A frontier-based hierarchical clustering procedure is developed. An application to cost-efficiency benchmarking is presented using the cost function parameters available in the literature. A cross-section of worldwide airports is clustered according to the relevant outputs and input prices, with cost elasticities and factor shares serving as optimal variable weights.

Findings

The authors found 17 distinct airport clusters without any ad hoc input. Factors like the use of larger aircraft or the dominance of low-cost carriers are shown to improve cost performance in the airport industry.

Practical implications

The proposed method allows for a more precise identification of the efficiency benchmarks, which are characterized by a set of cophenetic distances to their “peers”. Furthermore, the resulting classification can also be used to benchmark other indicators linked to airport costs, such as aeronautical charges or service quality.

Originality/value

This paper contributed to airport clustering by providing the first discussion and application of optimal variable weighting. In regard to efficiency benchmarking, the paper aims to overcome the limitations of previous papers by defining a method that is not dependent on performance, but on technology, and that can be easily adapted to large airport datasets.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2005

Hsiu‐Li Chen

To establish a comprehensive model of strategic management emphasized on the interactions of the organization with its external and internal environments and also to further…

7184

Abstract

Purpose

To establish a comprehensive model of strategic management emphasized on the interactions of the organization with its external and internal environments and also to further develop a strategy based on competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

By using key success factor and benchmarking methodologies as well as Multi‐Dimensional Space technique, the operational customer's needs fall into four strategic cells: “anchoring”, “narrowing”, “following‐up”, and “catching‐up”, which can be improved in accordance with strategic moves.

Findings

The empirical study examines Taipei International Airport (TPE) and undertakes a comparison with its six major competitors in Asia. It has been found that Singapore as well as Hong Kong international airports prevailed over other competitors in the overall performance and thus were selected as the benchmarking airports. While the TPE outperforms the benchmarking airports in the Core Functional Area, it lags well behind in the Support Area. It is therefore strongly suggested that the TPE should develop its ability to build up Key Success Factors as well as to benchmark efficiently and effectively if it is to secure competitive advantage over the benchmarking airports.

Originality/value

The quantitative and strategic management model we built could help organizational members to analyze corporation's current position, to reach more competitive strategies, and to evaluate/change strategies effectively.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Handbook of Logistics and Supply-Chain Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-8572-4563-2

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Paul J. Upham and Julia N. Mills

This paper aims to propose and assess a core set of environmental and operational sustainability indicators for airport benchmarking, based on research conducted for a decision…

5399

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose and assess a core set of environmental and operational sustainability indicators for airport benchmarking, based on research conducted for a decision support tool designed to support airport environmental and operational sustainability. Seeks to make recommendations on the external use of sustainability indicators in stakeholder communication, based on a separate survey of the way in which UK airports use environmental and sustainability benchmarking reports.

Design/methodology/approach

The indicators are designed to minimise additional data collection demands while reflecting sustainability theory to a practicable extent.

Findings

Bringing core environmental and operational indicators together helps to make their inter‐relationship explicit. The indicators are a minimum set, and their limitations with respect to sustainability are made explicit.

Originality/value

Reports on a survey of the current extent of, and approaches to, stakeholder communication undertaken by airports in the UK, particularly external use of environmental and sustainability benchmarking results.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2007

Aghahowa Enoma and Stephen Allen

The purpose of this paper is to outline the findings from a research project seeking to develop and test a set of key performance indicators for airport facility management, with…

9779

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the findings from a research project seeking to develop and test a set of key performance indicators for airport facility management, with particular focus on safety and security.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach was adopted for this project and data was collected from a series of interviews, workshops, the internet and other media.

Findings

The need for airport security and safety is paramount, post 9/11. Airports generate revenue from the facilities they provide so they seek to maximise their potential revenues but must do so with safety and security foremost in the operators' minds. In the UK a system for boosting security at the airports termed “multi‐agency threat and risk assessments” has been developed jointly by the Department for Transport and the Home Office after Sir John Wheeler's report on airport security and policing in 2002. This provides a framework for this research and enables the evaluation of current practice to be undertaken.

Originality/value

Previous research has not directly measured the relative performance of airport safety and security and the role of facility management in achieving that level of performance and this is the focus of the study. This paper concludes by presenting a potential list of key performance indicators for airport safety and security that emerged from the interviews and workshops.

Details

Facilities, vol. 25 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2001

Michael Pitt, Fong Kok Wai and Phua Chai Teck

Airport design has improved significantly in the last 20 years. Design has moved from simple protection from the elements to almost full automation. Many older airport facilities…

3498

Abstract

Airport design has improved significantly in the last 20 years. Design has moved from simple protection from the elements to almost full automation. Many older airport facilities are now outdated and require replacement. The decision to replace must be made based upon benchmarking with similar airport facilities. Summarises the current position with airport design and suggests that efficient use of facilities cannot depend upon shareholder return alone but must be based on national interest and efficiency demonstrated through external benchmarking. Suggests that facilities managers must be aware of the expectations of the airlines and passengers and the indicators used in the assessment of performance. Outlines the reasons that influence an airport’s decision to upgrade or replace its terminal facilities.

Details

Facilities, vol. 19 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

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