ON THE ROLE OF BENCHMARKING IN THE HIGHER
             EDUCATION QUALITY ASSESSMENT

            Moise Ioan Achim, “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia
              Lucia Căbulea, “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia
                Maria Popa, “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia
       Silvia - Ştefania Mihalache , “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia


ABSTRACT: Increasing competition, demands for accountability, and higher volumes of
available information are changing the methods of how institutions of higher education
operate in nowadays. For higher education to enact substantial and sustainable changes
in efficiency and productivity a new way of thinking or paradigm that builds efficiency
and a desire for continual learning must be integrated into institutional structures. Tools
are also being developed that measure or benchmark the progress and success of these
efforts. Among the improvement strategies and techniques, benchmarking has emerged as
a useful, easily understood, and effective tool for staying competitive. This is why the
present article aims to emphasize the importance of benchmarking in the higher
education quality assessment.

Key words:benchmarking, higher education, quality, management

JEL codes: I21, O32, D23