Hypothesis
According to the research conducted by Attiany (2014), he wanted to test the following hypothesis;
H1: Benchmarking has a significant and positive impact on low-cost leadership.
H1: Benchmarking has a significant and positive impact on differentiation
H1: Benchmarking has a substantial and positive impact on quick response
Study Summary
A considerable number of organizations have over the years used a variety of strategies to gain a competitive advantage, but some have ended up failing. According to Attiany (2014), he conducted the study to determine whether benchmarking can be used in helping a firm to gain a competitive advantage within its operational market. The purpose for doing this study was to supp ort the management of various Jordanian manufacturing firms to have an awareness as to why they should use benchmarking as a competitive advantage tool and add more literature to the academic community as there is little research in respect to the research topic. Through benchmarking, a company can have the ability to measure its performance by comparing it to the best within its industry. In the long run, the firm will borrow ideas from the leading business and use them to implement change thus gaining a competitive advantage. Attiany (2014) conducted his study using companies listed in the Amman Stock Exchange of Jordan. His research involved a total of 228 managers from 38 companies. From the results of the study, it showed that indeed benchmarking can play a vital role in helping a firm to gain a competitive advantage in its operational market. Additionally, the study was able to find out that through benchmarking, a company will see an increased profit enhancement, customer satisfaction, reduction of errors and improved decision-making abilities (Attiany 2014).
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Methods and Design
According to the research carried out by Attiany (2014), it employed a quantitative research design. This type of design is at times referred to as true science for it uses traditional mathematical and statistical procedures in measuring the results irrefutably. Before using a quantitative research design, the researcher must first formulate a hypothesis that will later be disproved or proved. Statistical methods must be used in testing the hypothesis, and this is what provides a framework for the entire study. The research design was the best technique for the statistical results obtained from the study can be legitimately published and discussed. Yilmaz (2013) argues that this type of research design allows for much easier filtering of any form of external factors that might influence the study and thus making the results obtained more unbiased and real.
Sutton & Austin (2015) state that the methodology used in data gathering should be one that provides the researcher with valid and accurate data. It is an indication that the data gathering process is an essential element of a study regardless of its purpose. Additionally, various factors will determine the data gathering technique to be used such as the type of data, a researcher’s financial capabilities, and the type of participants among others. In this case, since thi s is a study based on quantitative research design, the researcher decided to use primary data. This type of data is also referred to as first-hand information for it has not been subjected to any form of statistical manipulation or tabulation. In this type of research design, primary data is crucial for it will provide the researcher with raw and valid information which will be used is testing the hypothesis. Unlike secondary data, primary data is free-form errors and bias.
Furthermore, a convenient sampling technique was used in selecting the sample. This type of sampling technique allows the researcher to save time for the study can be conducted within a short time, and the subjects of the study can easily be accessed by a researcher (Elfil & Negida, 2017). Nonetheless, this sampling techniques known to bring about biases for the data gathered can only represent the views of the sample group and not entire population. There is also a higher possibility for the emergence of sampling errors. It is, therefore, best of the researcher had employed a random sampling technique that eliminates any room for bias and ensures that data gathered can become generalized to the entire population (Elfil& Negida, 2017).
Additionally, a questionnaire survey was used as the main data collection technique. This tool is used in gathering responses, ideas, and statements from the participants. Being a study that is trying to determine the impact of benchmarking on competitive advantage , this type of tool will allow a researcher to know the attitudes, opinions, beliefs, and emotions of participants in relation to the study topic (Ponto, 2015) . Additionally , the researcher used a restricted questionnaire survey that was based on a Likert scale with a numerical response from ( 1= strongly disagree to 5= strongly agree) . This is to allow the researcher to easily analyze the data gathered as the respondents cannot provide more information which will require additional analysis methods.
Additionally, a simple and multiple regression was used in analyzing the data. According to Attiany ( 2014), he wanted to determine the relationship between benchmarking and competitive advantage. Therefore, through regression analysis, it will allow one in determining the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Attiany (2014) operationalized his variables for he provided what he means by benchmarking and competitive advantage in relation to his study by breaking the two variables down into the dependent variables, in this case, included competitive advantage that is broken down into; low-cost leadership, differentiation, and quick response while the independent variables (benchmarking) included competitive benchmarking, functional benchmarking, internal benchmarking and generic benchmarking.
Study Ethics
Ethics is a vital element in any research. The ethical nature of any research revolves around how the researcher will treat his/her participants and the information obtained from the entire study. However, according to the study by Attiany (2014), one cannot adequately state that the research was ethically sound. This is because the researcher has not indicated whether the participants signed an informed consent form. This is one of the major ethical issues that affect most studies. It means the propensity of a participant to intelligently and voluntarily approve to become part of the research (Marianna, 2011). In this case, the researcher did not indicate whether his participants had an awareness of the study, it intended purpose or how he would ensure that he observes their autonomy. Additionally, without an informed consent form, the researcher can therefore not maintain the privacy and confidentiality of his respondents. In general, the entire study is not ethically sound for the researcher has not included the mentioned elements.
References
Attiany, M. S. (2014). Competitive Advantage Through Benchmarking: Field Study of Industrial Companies Listed in Amman Stock Exchange. Journal of business studies quarterly , 5 (4), 41.
Elfil, M., & Negida, A. (2017). Sampling methods in clinical research; an educational review. Emergency , 5 (1).
Marianna, M. (2011). What are the major ethical issues in conducting research? Is there a conflict between the research ethics and the nature of nursing? Health Science Journal , 5(1).
Ponto, J. (2015). Understanding and evaluating survey research. Journal of the advanced practitioner in oncology , 6 (2), 168.
Sutton, J., & Austin, Z. (2015). Qualitative research: data collection, analysis, and management. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy , 68 (3), 226.
Yilmaz, K. (2013). Comparison of quantitative and qualitative research traditions: Epistemological, theoretical, and methodological differences. European Journal of Education , 48 (2), 311-325.
