Journal of Co-operative Studies, 51(1), 5-16

Abstract

The objective of this research is to identify a framework to develop multi-sectoral co-operative benchmarks. This is accomplished by first reviewing the literature on benchmarking, followed by the scant literature on co-operative performance reporting and benchmarking specifically. From this review the small number of resources and tools that directly relate to co-operative benchmarking are analysed. While these resources and tools have been developed with specific motivations in mind, they do not meet the requirements for a co-operative benchmarking or performance measurement tool. This study is important as it begins to address the lack of co-operative specific social, environmental, and co-operative benchmarks through the development of a co-operative benchmarking framework.

References

_{Acquaye, A., Genovese, A., Barrett, J., & Koh, S. (2014). Benchmarking carbon emissions performance in supply chains. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 19(3), 306-321. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-11-2013-0419}

_{Adams, C. A. (2004). The ethical, social and environmental reporting-performance portrayal gap. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 17(5), 731-757. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513570410567791}

_{Adams, C. A., & Frost, G. R. (2006). The internet and change in corporate stakeholder engagement and communication strategies on social and environmental performance. Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, 2(3), 281-303.   https://doi.org/10.1108/18325910610690090}

_{Adebanjo, D., Abbas, A., & Mann. R. (2010). An investigation of the adoption and implementation of benchmarking. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 30(11), 1140-1169. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443571011087369}

_{Albertin, M., Pontes, H., Frota, E., & Assuncao, M. (2015). Flexible benchmarking: A new reference mode. Benchmarking, An International Journal, 22(6), 920-944. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-05-2013-0054}

_{Birchall, J. (1998). Co-operative values, principles and practices: A commentary. Journal of Co-operative Studies, 30(2), 42-69.}

_{Birchall, J. (2005). Co-operative principles ten years on. ICA Review of International Co-operation, 98(2), 45-63.}

_{Co-operatives UK. (2006). Demonstrating co-operative difference: Key social and co-operative performance indicators. Co-operatives UK.}

_{Duguid, F., & Balkan, D. (2016). ’Talking the talk’: Canadian co-operatives and sustainability reporting. Journal of Co-operative Accounting and Reporting, 4(1), 1-34.}

_{Ettorchi-Tardy, A., Levif, M., & Michel, P. (2012). Benchmarking: a method for continuous quality improvement in health. Health Care Policy, 7(4):101-19. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcpol.2012.22872}

_{Fairbairn, B. (2004). Cohesion, adhesion and identities in co-operatives. Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan.} 

_{Freytag, P., & Hollensen, S. (2001). The process of benchmarking, benchlearning and benchaction. The TQM Magazine, 13(1), 25-30.  https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780110360624}

_{Gao, S. S., & Zhang, J. J. (2006). Stakeholder engagement, social auditing and corporate sustainability. Business Process Management Journal, 12(6), 722-740.  https://doi.org/10.1108/14637150610710891}

_{Hong, P., Hong, S.W., Roh, J., & Park, K. (2012). Evolving benchmarking practices: A review for research perspectives. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 19(4/5), 444-462.  https://doi.org/10.1108/14635771211257945}

_{Jenkins. B., & Hine, P. (2003). Benchmarking for best practice environmental management. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 85, 115-134.  https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023610201889}

_{Karaphillis, G., Lake, A., & Duguid. F. (2017). Economic impact of the co-operative sector in Canada (2009 and 2010). International Journal of Social Economics, 22(5), 643-652.  https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-09-2015-0225}

_{Knox, S., Maklan, S., & French, P. (2005). Corporate social responsibility: Exploring stakeholder relationships and programme reporting across leading FTSE companies. Journal of Business Ethics, 61(1), 7-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-0303-4}

_{MacPherson, I. (2009). Century of co-operation. Canadian Co-operative Association.} 

_{Mayo, E. (2011). Co-operative performance. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 2(1), 158-164. https://doi.org/10.1108/20408021111162182}

_{Mehregan, M., Nayeri, M., & Ghezavati, V. (2010). An optimisational model of benchmarking. Benchmarking. An International Journal, 17(6), 876-888.  https://doi.org/10.1108/14635771011089773}

_{NEF Consulting (2018). Towards the new economy: co-operatives. New Economics Foundation.}

_{Reynolds, M., & Yuthas, K. (2008). Moral discourse and corporate social responsibility reporting. Journal of Business Ethics, 78(1-2), 47-64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9316-x}

_{Rixon, D. (2013). Credit union performance reporting in North America. Filene Research Institute.}

_{Rothenberg, S., Schenck, B., & Maxwell, J. (2005). Lessons from benchmarking environmental performance at automobile assembly plants. Benchmarking, An International Journal, 12(1), 5-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635770510582871}

_{Shaw, D., Grant, D., & Mangan, J. (2010). Developing environmental supply chain performance measures. Benchmarking, An International Journal, 17(3), 320-339. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635771011049326}

_{Tee, K. (2015). Identifying critical performance indicators and suitable partners using a benchmarking template. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 64(3), 434-450. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-06-2014-0085}

_{Toit, M., & Buys, P. (2013). An evaluation of the co-operative business model within the context of the global reporting initiative. International Business & Economics Research Journal, 12(2), 179-191. https://doi.org/10.19030/iber.v12i2.8536}

_{Wever, R., Boks, C., Marinelli, T., & Stevels, A. (2007). Increasing the benefits of product-level benchmarking for strategic eco-efficient decision making. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 14(6), 711-727. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635770710834509}

_{Williams, J., Brown, C., & Springer, A. (2012). Overcoming benchmarking reluctance: A literature review. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 19(2), 255-276.  https://doi.org/10.1108/14635771211224563}