Describes research undertaken to evaluate the appropriateness of strategic performance measurement (PM) system development processes for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). An evaluation is undertaken of ten PM approaches found in the literature. To facilitate this evaluation a typology is presented which synthesises current theory. This evaluation resulted in the identification of a process, based on its congruency to the theoretical model, which is used for an empirical investigation. Empirical data from SMEs is collected and analysed using the typology. This indicates a discontinuity between current theory and the requirements of practitioners in small companies. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations to facilitate the development of appropriate PM processes for SMEs.

Theory and practice in SME performance measurement systems

In recent years, literature has identified the increasing complexity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and highlighted their sensitivity to differences in managerial culture and management systems. Research has shown that performance measurement systems (PMSs) could play an important role in supporting managerial development in these companies. In this paper, the literature on performance measurement in manufacturing SMEs is reviewed and the diffusion, characteristics and determinants of performance measurement in SMEs are analysed. Shortcomings in the performance measurement systems are highlighted and the many factors that seem to constrain PMSs in manufacturing SMEs are defined, e.g. lack of financial and human resources, wrong perception of the benefits of PMS implementation, short-term strategic planning. Moreover, using dimensions defined according to the information found in the literature, two PMS models specifically developed for SMEs are compared with generic PMS models. The comparison points out an evolution in PMS models over time; in particular, the models developed in the last 20 years are more horizontal, process-oriented and focus on stakeholder needs. However, it is not clear whether these changes are due to the evolution of the generic models or an attempt to introduce models suited to the needs of SMEs. To clarify this matter and better to understand PMSs in SMEs, further theoretical and empirical studies are necessary. The main issues still requiring investigation are listed in a research agenda at the end of the paper.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2005.00105.x

Performance measurement systems in SMEs: A review for a research agenda

Describes the development and testing of a framework which can assist in the process of designing performance measures. Grounds the framework in the relevant literature and explains how it was developed and tested through a series of action research projects involving collaborators primarily from the aerospace and automotive industries. Notes that inadequately designed performance measures can result in dysfunctional behaviour often due to the method of calculation encouraging individuals to pursue inappropriate courses of action. The performance measure record sheet presented provides a structure which considers factors such as the purpose of the measure and the source of data. Notes the advantages of the record sheet, such as its use to audit existing measures of performance and to facilitate the process of designing new ones.

Designing performance measures: a structured approach

The effectiveness of performance measurement is an issue of growing importance to industrialists and academics alike. Many organisations are investing considerable amounts of resource implementing measures that reflect all dimensions of their performance. Consideration is being given to what should be measured today, but little attention is being paid to the question of what should be measured tomorrow. Measurement systems should be dynamic. They have to be modified as circumstances change. Yet few organisations appear to have systematic processes in place for managing the evolution of their measurement systems and few researchers appear to have explored the question, what shapes the evolution of an organisation’s measurement system? The research reported in this paper seeks to address this gap in the literature by presenting data that describes the forces that shape the evolution of the measurement systems used by different organisations.

/pdf/a-framework-of-the-factors-affecting-the-evolution-of-3s61xyeooc.pdf

A framework of the factors affecting the evolution of performance measurement systems

Currently, there is a great interest in performance measurement with many companies attempting to implement the balanced scorecard. However, there is also evidence that many of these implementations are not successful. This paper reviews the different performance measurement system design processes published in the literature and creates a framework for comparing alternative approaches. The paper then proceeds to review the literature on performance measurement system implementations and concludes that the performance measurement literature is at the stage of identifying difficulties and pitfalls to be avoided based on practitioner experience with few published research studies. This paper is the first of two, the second going on to consider performance measurement implementation from the point of view of the change management literature.

Mcs Bourne

Papers

Strategy and Performance: Getting the Measure of your Business

Developing and testing a process for performance measurement system design

Performance measurement system implementation: an investigation of failures

Manufacturing performance measurement

Manufacturing strategy and the resource-based theory of the firm