as watson (1993) states, benchmarking should be perceived as “a process of
adaptation [italics added], not adoption.”

it is not just a question of copying what others are doing, rather the power in benchmarking comes from sharing ideas.

considering benchmarking as a process of learning from the best practices and
experiences of others, some authors have used the term benchlearning (e.g.
karlof & ostblom, 1993).