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NACUBO benchmarking and its effect on higher education business processes

Randal Lee Haack, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which self, as practiced by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, had applied the continuous improvement technique of benchmarking, selected higher education institutions during the period 1991 through 1995. The study also was to determine for what purpose(s) and by what means benchmarking was implemented, and its effect(s) on higher education business processes. Benchmarking as defined is a continuous, systematic process for evaluating an organization's products, services, and work processes that are recognized as best practices for organizational improvement (Spendolini, 1992). The goal was to determine what uses and approaches in applying benchmarking bring about the most effective and desired changes. The institutions participating in the National Association of College and University Business Officers' (NACUBO) Benchmarking Program were the primary source of research. Effect is the operative term because it is the influence of benchmarking results, whether expected or unpredicted, which brought about or caused a change in business processes that are key to the research study. The research indicates that the NACUBO benchmarking program did have a positive effect on business processes for nearly half of the institutions reporting. From this examination of the NACUBO benchmarking program as a management tool to improve business processes, its most effective applications for use were identified. The greater success was experienced by less complex public institutions which held the benchmarking activity in high importance and were being responsive to the current era of accountability in higher education. These institutions also had a higher involvement of their senior management and functional managers in the benchmarking process. The benchmarking process itself also had clear objectives and involved frequent communication, providing appropriate detail to a wider range of participants. Furthermore, the research study adds to the knowledge of organizational development of business processes within American higher education.

Subject Area

School administration|Higher education

Recommended Citation

Haack, Randal Lee, "NACUBO benchmarking and its effect on higher education business processes" (1998). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9829520.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9829520

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