Title: The role of benchmarking from a management accounting and control perspective: evidence from Norwegian firms

Authors: Daniel Johanson; Dag Øivind Madsen; Terje Berg

Addresses: Department of Accounting, Auditing and Law, Norwegian School of Economics, Helleveien 30, 5045 Bergen, Norway ' School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bredalsveien 11, 3511 Hønefoss, Norway ' NTNU Business School, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Klæbuveien 72, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the diffusion and adoption motives for benchmarking in Norwegian firms. Based on a questionnaire survey, we conduct a descriptive analysis of the types of benchmarking used; to what extent firms expect to implement or increase the use in the future, and its potential use in combination with other management practices. The data indicate that Norwegian firms formally use benchmarking as a management practice. Benchmarking is clearly used in conjunction with and alongside other management accounting and control practices. Benchmarking is often understood as a practice that could replace budgets. We suggest a more complex picture, where benchmarking seems complementary to budgeting. Finally, use of KPIs, as well as big data analytics, adds complexities in choosing efficient management control packages. Overall, our paper theorises about benchmarking and reflects on the future usefulness of benchmarking and interdependencies with other management practices.

Keywords: benchmarking; management accounting and control; management practices; diffusion; adoption motives; implementation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2025.148016

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2025 Vol.45 No.4, pp.488 - 512

Received: 17 Oct 2022
Accepted: 01 Jul 2023
Published online: 14 Aug 2025 *

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