Meta-choices in ranking knowledge-based organizations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the issue knowledge visualization and its connection with performance measurement from an epistemological point view, considering quantification not just as technical questions but showing their relevant implications on management decision-making knowledge-based organizations. Design/methodology/approach This study proposes a theoretical contribution that combines two lines research for identifying three main meta-choices problems arise in multidimensional benchmarking first meta-choice problem related choice algorithm used (Iazzolino et al. , 2012; Laise 2015; Daraio, 2017a). second refers variables be included model (Daraio, third concerns data which analyses are carried out Findings authors show interplay existing among benchmarking, key indicators intellectual capital, including Human Capital, Structural Capital Relational performances, evaluated financial non-financial terms. provides empirical analysis Italian Universities, comparing ranking distributions obtained by several efficiency multi-criteria methods. Originality/value demonstrates difficulties “implementation problem” measurement, subjectivity results evaluation process when there many criteria, adoption technologies humility awareness we can only achieve “satisficing” results.