Kepa Mendibil

Dynamics of performance measurement and organizational culture

Purpose – This research paper aims to model the dynamic relationship between performance measurement, management styles and organisational culture, in order to develop a better understanding of the causal linkages between these three areas.Design/methodology/approach – The related literature on performance measurement, management control systems and management information systems, in the context of organisational culture, is examined and a framework for mapping the interplay of the three areas is developed. The research is based around five case studies where performance measurement systems were implemented in action research programmes, using identical implementation methods, by the same research team. The use of the performance measurement systems was then observed over a period of time in relation to the implementation lifecycle, changes to management style and organisational structure over time. The dynamic relationships were then mapped using the framework developed. Patterns were observed, which led...

Measuring and managing performance in extended enterprises

Purpose - The purpose of this research paper is to demonstrate how existing performance measurement may be adopted to measure and manage performance in extended enterprises. Design/methodology/approach - The paper reviews the literature in performance measurement and extended enterprises. It explains the collaborative architecture of an extended enterprise and demonstrates this architecture through a case study. A model for measuring and managing performance in extended enterprises is developed using the case study. Findings - The research found that due to structural differences between traditional and extended enterprises, the systems required to measure and manage the performance of extended enterprises, whilst being based upon existing performance measurement frameworks, would be structurally and operationally different. Based on this, a model for measuring and managing performance in extended enterprises is proposed which includes intrinsic and extrinsic inter-enterprise coordinating measures. Research limitations/implications - There are two limitations this research. First, the evidence is based on a single case, thus further cases should be studied to establish the generalisibility of the presented results. Second, the practical limitations of the EE performance measurement model should be established through longitudinal action research. Practical implications - In practice the model proposed requires collaborating organisations to be more open and share critical performance information with one another. This will require change in practices and attitudes. Originality/value - The main contribution this paper makes is that it highlights the structural differences between traditional and collaborative enterprises and specifies performance measurement and management requirements of these collaborative organisations.

The interplay between performance measurement, organizational culture and management styles

It is generally agreed that businesses perform better if they are managed through formalised, balanced and integrated performance measures. Reports on some case studies which were part of a study to explore the dynamics and relationships between performance measurement, organizational culture and management styles. A key finding of the work is that organisational culture and management style seems to be interdependent throughout the lifecycle of the performance measurement system.

Designing performance measurement systems for teams: Theory or practice

This paper reports on an industrially led research project, supported by the UK Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), which set out to tackle an increasingly pressing issue for organisations – how to measure and manage the performance of teams. In spite of the current interest in performance measurement and teamwork in industry, little evidence of team performance measurement systems (TPMS) was seen. Thus, started the authors’ journey into looking for a way to help companies to measure and manage team performance. The purpose of this paper is to take the reader through the investigations, with an emphasis on the analysis of current practice and research on TPMS. It describes a typology for TPMS design and identifies the gaps of current TPMS approaches. The paper concludes by claiming that a new approach to facilitate organisations design TPMS is required and by presenting a generic framework for TPMS.

Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage in Collaborative Systems: The What? And The How?

Initially this paper asks two questions: In order to create and sustain competitive advantage through collaborative systems WHAT should be managed? and HOW should it be managed? It introduces the competitive business structure and reviews some of the global trends in manufacturing and business, which leads to focus on manage processes, value propositions and extended business processes. It then goes on to develop a model of the collaborative architecture for extended enterprises and demonstrates the validity of this architecture through a case study. It concludes that, in order to create and sustain competitive advantage, collaborative systems should facilitate the management of: the collaborative architecture of the extended enterprise; the extended business processes and the value proposition for each extended enterprise through a meta level management process. It also identifies areas for further research, such as better understanding of: the exact nature and interaction of multiple strategies within an enterprise; how to manage people/teams working along extended business processes; and the nature and prerequisites of the manage processes

Designing effective team-based performance measurement systems: an integrated approach

Measuring the performance of teams and, in particular, designing effective team-based performance measurement systems (TPMS) can be a difficult task. The purpose of this paper is to take the reader through the development and testing of a construct that provides an integrated approach to facilitate the design of TPMS. This construct was developed and tested based on a rigorous set of criteria adopted from constructive research theory as well as from existing performance measurement literature. The construct was tested in a series of workshops described in this paper. The data gathered during these workshops demonstrates the novelty and validity of the construct. The paper should be of interest to managers, team leaders and indeed anyone who is interested in monitoring and managing team performance. The paper will also be of interest to academics working in the fields of performance measurement and team management.Measuring the performance of teams and, in particular, designing effective team-based performance measurement systems (TPMS) can be a difficult task. The purpose of this paper is to take the reader through the development and testing of a construct that provides an integrated approach to facilitate the design of TPMS. This construct was developed and tested based on a rigorous set of criteria adopted from constructive research theory as well as from existing performance measurement literature. The construct was tested in a series of workshops described in this paper. The data gathered during these workshops demonstrates the novelty and validity of the construct. The paper should be of interest to managers, team leaders and indeed anyone who is interested in monitoring and managing team performance. The paper will also be of interest to academics working in the fields of performance measurement and team management.

Application of Six Sigma DMAIC methodology in a transactional environment

Purpose – Communication and Information Management (CIM) is crucial for any organisation and effectiveness of CIM can result in significant improvement to the bottom line and customer satisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and streamline the communication and information system within an “infrastructure support service” company using Six Sigma methodology. Design/methodology/approach – The research involved a triangulation approach of case study and use of survey instrument to find a solution to the problem. Findings – The paper highlights a significant concern with regard to CIM within all the business units of the group. The effectiveness of the present CIM system for the whole group is below industry average with regard to accuracy and timeliness of CIM, resulting in an inefficient management reporting system. Operating in a highly competitive and time-bound environment, correct and real time reporting is paramount. The main reasons for the ineffectiveness of CIM across the group can be attributed to two main factors; data management and communication systems being used. The paper also illustrates an appreciation of the use of Six Sigma within a transactional environment. Originality/value – This study is a novel application of Six Sigma methodology within the communication and information management system.

Factors that affect the design and implementation of team-based performance management systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the factors that enable and/or constrain the design and implementation of team‐based performance measurement systems.Design/methodology/approach – This research study departed from an industrially‐led project. The research strategies used (i.e. case studies, industrial workshops and action research) are suited to the applied and empirical nature of the study. The paper reviews the existing literature on team performance measurement. It then presents the findings based on a exploratory phase and a theory refinement phase.Findings – The results of this study suggest that there are eleven factors affecting the design and implementation of TPMS. It also suggests that these factors are inter‐related with each other. As a result, the impact of one factor can reduce and even eliminate the impact of other factors.Research limitations/implications – There are two main limitations of this research. Firstly, carrying out more than one longitudinal study would incre...

Improving the reliability of the customer order fulfilment process in a product identification company

This paper explains how the improvement of a key business process in a manufacturing company can be interpreted in terms of reliability engineering concepts. A case study is presented to illustrate how a label manufacturer went about improving the performance of the customer order fulfilment process to satisfy demands from major customers. The activities carried out in the improvement programme can be described in terms of a simple reliability engineering framework involving the three steps of risk analysis, risk assessment and risk management being applied to the business process. The paper goes on to suggest that using a similar framework with all key business processes in an organisation could improve the overall reliability of the business.

Measuring and improving business process reliability

Measuring the performance of a business process and moreover, improving the reliability of critical business processes has become an important issue for most organisations. This paper describes how three companies from different business environments improved the reliability of specific business processes using active monitoring techniques.