Date of Award

1-1-2001

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Business (Research)

Department

Business Studies

First Advisor

Micheál Ó Gailbhín

Abstract

‘ Europe is losing its competitiveness ‘ was the underlying message in the Tanaiste’s, Ms Mary Harney, opening address, at the 3^^ annual Benchmarking Conference held in the O’Reilly Hall, Dublin, on the 28^^ of February 2001. According to the latest figures from the European Commission, the European GDP lags its Japanese and American rivals by 17% and 33% respectively. Small and medium sized enterprises provide over 66% of the European Community employment and 65% of the turnover, which indicate the vital role played by small and medium sized enterprises in Europe’s economy. The objective of this thesis was to ascertain whether or not improved competitiveness and business success could be achieved in SMEs through the implementation of the techniques of World Class Business and Benchmarking. The research element of the thesis was recorded from two pilot projects conducted in Ireland, namely the World Class Rural Cluster project and the Innovative Management Techniques-World Class Business project. These projects examined the implementation of the techniques of World Class Business and Benchmarking in SMEs over a two-year period. The author of this thesis examines the results of these projects in addition to conducting a thorough literature review and analysing comparable national and international data. Finally, the author concludes that indeed business success and improved competitiveness can be achieved in SMEs through the formal application in an appropriate way for SMEs of the techniques of World Class Business and Benchmarking.

Access Level

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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