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A decision aid for finding performance groups

Jessop, A.

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Authors

A. Jessop



Abstract

Purpose - Finding groups of similarly performing organizations for strategic or tactical performance comparison has typically been done by either cluster or frontier analysis. Both present problems of definition and interpretation. Given the inevitable abstraction of any model it is desirable that as much as possible of the model specification be in easily understood language and that, where appropriate, the ambiguity of the model is recognised by giving a number of equally good solutions. Design/methodology/approach - Two linked optimisations find the minimum number of groups and the distribution of group sizes which identifies large groups, if they exist. A number of alternative optimal solutions are generated and must be considered in the final synthesis. The method is illustrated by finding performance groups among thirty five international airports. Findings - Sixteen alternative optimal solutions, each of twelve groups, are found. Two thirds of the airports were found in the same groups in all solutions, forming the robust core. Of the remainder, a solution was chosen and justified on the grounds of similarity of country and jurisdiction. Practical implications - The model changes the focus of analysis from one of reacting to apparent patterns in the result of an analysis to one in which careful thought is given about the definitions of group which reflect the point of view of the user. Originality/value - The article illustrates how a novel methodology forms a decision aid for finding performance groups in which due scope is given for the interpretation of equally good solutions.

Citation

Jessop, A. (2012). A decision aid for finding performance groups. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 19(3), 325-339. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635771211242987

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2012
Deposit Date May 5, 2011
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Benchmarking: an international journal.
Print ISSN 1463-5771
Publisher Emerald
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 3
Pages 325-339
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/14635771211242987
Keywords Airlines, Benchmarking, Performance, Strategy.

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Accepted Journal Article (456 Kb)
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Copyright Statement
This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here (http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14635771211242987. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.'




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