Therefore, benchmarking is a critical step for firms wanting to compete globally. Because each marketplace environment differs, companies need to research competitor firms in their industry that are already firmly entrenched in the desired environment. Benchmarking is never done once and then cast aside; benchmarking becomes an ongoing process that enables organizations to gauge their progress and tweak procedures that may improve their performance. Benchmarking usually compares firms to industry leaders, too, because those leaders are the standard by which competing firms hope to achieve or usurp.

3. What problems might arise from empowering employees? What are some of the hurdles that managers must overcome in empowering employees? What can organizations do to address these issues?

Empowering employees helps workers become involved and connected with their work. When individuals feel empowered, their sense of personal responsibility and accountability rises and can lead to increased morale and productivity. However, empowering employees also raises important questions and concerns related to how to balance traditional organizational structures with emerging trends in employee management. Moreover, empowering employees can lead to situations that undermine managerial power and that might therefore lead...

For example, an empowered employee might start to initiate projects without approval or undertake tasks that were not part of his or her job description. Employee empowerment might also lead to rebellious behaviors among employees that reduce overall productivity.
Needing to empower employees requires effective management and communications strategies. Some employers are enriching jobs and tasks by allowing employees to enhance their experiences through horizontal and vertical enlargement (p. 247). This way, managers can retain the basic organizational structure and chain of command while at the same time increasing employee morale. Managers working in a rigid organizational environment may have a tougher time empowering employees without sacrificing productivity. However, organizations can engage in any number of creative solutions to the problems associated with empowering employees. Expanding jobs horizontally and vertically is one of the most straightforward ways to empower employees without reducing productivity. Making tasks more interesting by allowing employees greater control over their workplace environment or providing employees with an enriched understanding of the procedures and goals involved in their highly specialized tasks are other ways to empower employees.