What is the purpose of benchmarking in management information systems?

Benchmarking in management information systems serves the critical purpose of comparing processes and performance metrics across similar organizations or industry standards. This practice allows businesses to identify gaps in their performance, understand industry best practices, and set realistic targets for improvement. By assessing where they stand relative to competitors or industry benchmarks, organizations can make informed decisions to optimize their operations, enhance efficiency, and ultimately achieve better results.

The other options focus on different aspects of management that do not encapsulate the primary goal of benchmarking. Creating new technologies relates to innovation rather than comparison. Assessing employee satisfaction pertains to human resources and organizational behavior, while defining information system goals focuses on strategic planning rather than the evaluative aspect that benchmarking provides. Thus, benchmarking is specifically beneficial for measurement and performance improvement, making the comparison of processes and metrics its key function.