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The expressive role of performance measurement systems: A field study of a mental health development project

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  • Chenhall, Robert H.
  • Hall, Matthew
  • Smith, David

Abstract

The management control systems (MCS) literature has long recognized the importance of values and beliefs (e.g., Ouchi, 1979; Simons, 1995). However, in this literature, values and beliefs are typically presented in the context of mission statements or company slogans that can play little substantive role in shaping actions and behaviors. In this paper we focus on how MCS can play a more active role in values expression, and examine the potential for performance measurement systems (PMS) to be used within organizations to express the values and beliefs of organizational members. This use of PMS, which we term its expressive role, is important as pluralistic and expressive forms of organizing are becoming more prevalent. Furthermore, prior research indicates that enabling the expression of values and beliefs by organizational members can generate energy and commitment that are important to the achievement of organizational objectives. In a field study of a mental health development project in a non-government organization, we examine the design and operational characteristics that are important for the expressive role of PMS. We also examine the interplay between the expressive role and the instrumental role of PMS and identify circumstances in which these roles can clash and/or be complementary.

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  • Chenhall, Robert H. & Hall, Matthew & Smith, David, 2017. "The expressive role of performance measurement systems: A field study of a mental health development project," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 60-75.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:aosoci:v:63:y:2017:i:c:p:60-75
    DOI: 10.1016/j.aos.2014.11.002
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    3. Lubna Q. OWAIS, 2021. "A Brief Overview Of Performance Management Systems," SEA - Practical Application of Science, Romanian Foundation for Business Intelligence, Editorial Department, issue 25, pages 23-30, May.
    4. Jennifer Kunz & Mathias Heitz, 2021. "Banks’ risk culture and management control systems: A systematic literature review," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 439-493, December.
    5. Baxter, Jane & Carlsson-Wall, Martin & Chua, Wai Fong & Kraus, Kalle, 2019. "Accounting and passionate interests: The case of a Swedish football club," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 21-40.
    6. Urquía-Grande, Elena & Estébanez, Raquel Pérez & Alcaraz-Quiles, Francisco José, 2022. "Impact of Non-Profit Organizations’ Accountability: Empirical evidence from the democratic Republic of Congo," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 28(C).
    7. Giovannoni, Elena & Quarchioni, Sonia, 2019. "Exploring the generative power of performance measurement systems design," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(2), pages 211-225.
    8. Hall, Matthew & O'Dwyer, Brendan, 2017. "Accounting, non-governmental organizations and civil society: The importance of nonprofit organizations to understanding accounting, organizations and society," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-5.
    9. Lu Jiao & Graeme Harrison & Jinhua Chen, 2023. "Revenue growth in not‐for‐profit organisations: The effects of interactive and diagnostic controls and organisational culture," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 2273-2294, June.
    10. O’Leary, Susan & Smith, David, 2020. "Moments of resistance: An internally persuasive view of performance and impact reports in non-governmental organizations," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    11. Cuckston, Thomas, 2022. "Accounts of NGO performance as calculative spaces: Wild Animals, wildlife restoration and strategic agency," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    12. Martin Carlsson‐Wall & Katarina Kaarbøe & Kalle Kraus & Anita Meidell, 2021. "Risk Management as Passionate Imitation: The Interconnections Among Emotions, Performance Metrics, and Risk in a Global Technology Firm," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 57(1), pages 72-100, March.

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