This is a must be true EXCEPT question . So no conclusion we need to find a statement that is not true in reference to the stimulus .

Let look at the question :
Any of the following, if true, is a valid reason for benchmarking the performance of a company against companies with which it is not in competition rather that against competitors EXCEPT

Translate : Which one of the following will not be a valid reason for comparison with non- competitors .

Dont fall in to rather than thing its only to confuse you .

Now lets look at our options .

(A) Comparisons with competitors are most likely to fous on practices that the manager making the comparisions already employs.
[If the manager is already employing practices that the competitor has there is no use of comparison. This is against the premise that states comparison is for better development, eliminate ]
(B) Getting "inside" information about the unique practices of competitors is particularly difficult
[knowing practices of competitor is difficult . But may be its easier to get information of non competitor so this can act as a valid reason for comparison against non-competitor , eliminate ]

(C) Since companies that compete with each other are likely to have cpmparable levels of efficiency, only benchmarking against noncompetitors is likely to reveal practices that would aid in beating competitors
[Again a valid reason for comparison with non-competitors , eliminate ]

(D) Managers are generally more receptive to new ideas that they find outside their own industry
[Their own industry means non-competitors , eliminate ]

(E) Much of the success of good companies is due to their adoption of practices that take advantage of the special circumstances of their products of markets
[Only remaining option , correct .]

Whats the OA ?