An Initial Study On Benchmarking In Higher Education Abroad

During the last two decades a quality improvement phenomenon called benchmarking has expanded rapidly in higher education abroad. Significant amount of interest is currently being demonstrated. That is why I select "benchmarking in higher education abroad" as my research field. The research methods of literature gathering, analyses systematically and case study. Basing on the review of the historical development of benchmarking, this thesis surveys the definition, types, procedures and approaches of benchmarking, as well as its application status within higher education from the points of view such as the essence and practice, provided an example of Creative benchmarking in the University of Oulu. Then, the thesis analyses features, virtues of benchmarking and some conceptual and practical difficulties in the application, and introduces experiences from Benchmarking practice in higher education.Indeed, the methodology of benchmarking with its conceptual emphasis on openness of analysis, organizational learning, and an examination of processes rather than narrowly focus on input or output data, such a methodology fits a university culture more comfortably than other forms of change management. Despite the reported difficulties of benchmarking, people are likely to be optimistic about its potential and application future in higher education.In the context of the growing competition among educational institutions (nationally as well as internationally) and the need for superior performance, as phenomenon is closely related to quality improvement and quality assurance in higher education, Benchmarking should also be paid more attention, and is inspiration and referential significance to of higher education in China.