The dynamics of voluntary benchmarking in the water sector

Abstract

<p> This article investigates the dynamics of benchmarking in municipal water<br /> utilities. The authors explain how a voluntary project developed the<br /> characteristics of compulsory benchmarking. While the first adopters of<br /> benchmarking sought efficiency gains, later adoptions have mainly been driven by<br /> institutional pressures. This limits the potential of benchmarking for improving<br /> utility performance.</p>