Convergence of benchmarking and quality standards as a basis for ensuring the financial and economic security of business entities in the conditions of the information society
Authors: Telnov Anatoliy 
Published: October 2024

Introduction. In the conditions of the information economy, globalization transformations cause convergence processes in various spheres of activity. These processes change the information space, turn knowledge and information into a strategic resource, a key product, cause rapid changes in the socio-economic sphere, and contribute to the formation of a new informational way of production.
Convergence processes are related to the economic activity of business entities, the problem of which today is to increase the efficiency of production while complying with the requirements for the quality and competitiveness of products. This problem is related to the production of a significant part of uncompetitive domestic products. The spread of globalization processes, fierce competition between manufacturers necessitates the improvement of methods of management and production of goods, the development and introduction of new types of goods (services), and the search for new sales markets.
Ensuring economic security requires enterprises to be able to withstand tough competitive conditions. For this, an important aspect is the possibility of creating the necessary sustainable competitive advantages. Convergence of benchmarking tools and quality standards can provide such competitive advantages.
Purpose of the article is to substantiation of the concept of convergence of benchmarking and quality standards in the conditions of the information society as a basis for ensuring the financial and economic security of enterprises.
Method (methodology). An information-search method was used for the research – to obtain informative data from scientific sources and the Internet; methods of logical analysis, classification and comparative analysis – when identifying the types of convergence in the works of scientists and quality standards, the generalization method – for formulating research conclusions.
Results. The information economy is based on the activities of business entities. The essence of benchmarking from the point of view of ensuring the economic security of enterprises has been clarified. Taking into account the close connection of benchmarking and quality management, the expediency of their convergence in the activities of business entities is argued. The directions of modern research of the theory of convergence are analyzed. It has been proven that the use of international quality standards will allow enterprises to implement a system of continuous improvement of business processes based on a process approach and create a basis for their financial and economic security. A series of standards have been defined, the systematic use of which will ensure the quality and safety of products, satisfy consumer needs, increase the competitiveness of enterprises, and gain competitive advantages, which will contribute to ensuring financial and economic security. The role and significance of marketing research in the context of ensuring the convergence of benchmarking and quality standards is determined.