Title: Enabling and coercive control ́s interaction with motivation. Subject: Bachelor's thesis in business administration, 15 credits.  Purpose: Examine how employees in small and medium-sized enterprises perceive enabling and/or coercive control, and how these control systems interact with motivation.  Study question: How do employees' perceptions of enabling and coercive control interact with their motivation in small and medium-sized enterprises?  Method: Initially, the research gap that forms the basis of the study is identified, followed by the formulation of the study question. The question is answered through collection and analysis of empirical data from six semi-structured interviews.  Conclusion: The result of this study shows that the management control within a company is neither fully enabling nor coercive, rather the characteristics interact with each other. The choice of control greatly depends on the size and industry of the company. The study also shows that the characteristics of management control affect motivation, where enabling control predominates.  Keywords: Management control, enabling control, coercive control, Levers of Control, motivation, small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Syfte – Studiens syfte har varit att öka förståelsen för de effekter som kan uppstå genom en kompetensväxling när detta sker genom en fördelning och omfördelning av arbetsuppgifter till en ny yrkeskategori. Syftet har också varit att undersöka vilken roll styrning har i att påverka dessa effekter. För att undersöka syftet har följande forskningsfrågor adresserats; (1) Vilken påverkan har en kompetensväxling på de professioner vilka möts av ett sådant koncept? (2) Hur kan styrmedel förstärka positiv och lindra negativ påverkan av en kompetensväxling? Metod – Multipel fallstudiedesign av en kvalitativ art med en kombinerad induktiv och deduktiv ansats. Insamling av data har skett genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med undersköterskor, sjuksköterskor och ledning inom Region Norrbotten. Den insamlade datan har analyserats med hjälp av tematisk analys.  Resultat – Resultatet visar att en kompetensväxling, när detta sker genom en fördelning och omfördelning av arbetsuppgifter till en ny yrkeskategori, påverkar professioner både arbetsmässigt såsom personligt. Fem teman kopplade till påverkan har identifierats: rädsla för övertalighet, minskad stress i arbetet, arbetsglädje, skepsis mot servicepersonalens vårdkännedom samt effektivitet. Resultatet visar även att styrmedel kan ha en betydande roll för hur denna påverkan tar sitt uttryck och att ledningen därmed har en stor roll här att spela.  Teoretiska implikationer – Studien bidrar med en djupare förståelse kring kompetensväxling när detta sker genom en fördelning och omfördelning av arbetsuppgifter till en ny yrkeskategori. Studien bidrar även med insikter gällande en sådan kompetensväxlings påverkan på yrkesverksamma vilka möts av ett sådant koncept. Ett annat teoretiskt bidrag är en belysning av en sådan organisationsförändring i kombination med styrning.  Praktiska implikationer – Vårt resultat antyder att styrmedel kan ha en betydande roll för utfallen av en kompetensväxling. Vi ser därför att vårt resultat kan fungera som ett stöd för personer inom en ledningsposition vilka står inför utmaningen att införa ett liknande koncept inom sin organisation. Vi ser också att studien kan fungera som ett beslutsunderlag för chefer och högre beslutsfattare vilka utforskar möjligheterna att hantera en hög arbetsbelastning och personalbrist. / Purpose – The purpose of this study has been to increase the understanding of the effects that can emerge through task-shifting when it occurs through an allocation and distribution of work assignments to a new occupation. The purpose has also been to examine the management control systems role in affecting these effects. To investigate this purpose, following research questions have been addressed; (1) What effect does task-shifting have on the professions that face such a concept? (2) How can management control systems increase positive and alleviate negative effects of task-shifting?  Method – Multiple case study of a qualitative character with a combined inductive and deductive approach. Collection of data has occurred through semi-structured interviews with orderlies, nurses and management within Region Norrbotten. The collected data has been analyzed through thematic analysis.   Result – The result shows that task-shifting, when this occurs through an allocation and distribution of work assignments to a new occupation, affects professions both operationally as well as personally. Five themes linked to effects have been identified: fear of redundancy, reduced stress at work, job satisfaction, skepticism towards the service personnel’s understanding of healthcare and efficiency. The result also indicates that management control systems can have a considerable role in how this effect is manifested and that management therefore has a big part to play.  Theoretical implications – This study contributes with a deeper understanding regarding task-shifting when this occurs through an allocation and distribution of work assignments to a new occupation. This study also contributes with insights regarding such a concepts effect on professionals that face such a concept. Another theoretical contribution is the illumination of such an organizational change in combination with management control systems.  Practical implications – Our result indicates that management control systems can have a significant role in the outcomes of task-shifting. Therefore our result can function as support for individuals within a management position who face the challenge of implementing a similar concept within their organization. Furthermore we also see the study’s potential of being a basis for managers and higher-ups decision making who are exploring different opportunities of managing a high workload and staff shortages.

Esta pesquisa investiga a relação entre estilo de liderança, definição de uso do sistema de controle gerencial (SCG) e inovação tecnológica. Fundamentado nas lideranças transformacional e transacional (Bass, 2008) e no modelo de alavancas de controle de Simons (1995a), este estudo explora o estilo de liderança como um antecedente da definição de uso do sistema de controle gerencial e o papel de seus diferentes tipos de uso (sistemas de crenças, interativo, diagnóstico e de restrições) na inovação tecnológica. A partir de um levantamento realizado com questionário eletrônico, os achados obtidos geram contribuições relevantes para a pesquisa em controle gerencial, ainda que não possam ser atribuídos de maneira generalizada, mas sim em relação a uma amostra de 164 empresas, a maioria de grande porte. Com emprego da técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais, foram encontradas evidências de que a liderança transformacional é um antecedente do uso interativo do SCG e do sistema de crenças. Este achado demonstra que o líder transformacional confere significado ao sistema de crenças e seu comportamento cria condições para que as informações geradas pelo SCG sejam revistas, questionadas e discutidas entre os membros da organização, favorecendo a identificação de estratégias emergentes. Os achados também indicam que os sistemas de crenças, interativo e de restrições influenciam positivamente a inovação tecnológica. Significa que três, dos quatro tipos de usos previstos por Simons (1990, 1991, 1995a), afetam a inovação, ou seja, as empresas que buscam inovar em seus produtos e processos devem investir: (i) na comunicação de valores e objetivos relacionados à inovação, (ii) em discussões que envolvam diferentes áreas e membros do negócio, considerando inclusive a possibilidade de interagir com agentes externos à empresa, e ainda, (iii) no estabelecimento de limites que especifiquem um campo de ação para os colaboradores, fornecendo foco e gerando condições para que as ações pretendidas sejam desenvolvidas. Os achados também confirmam que o setor econômico influencia a inovação tecnológica. Não foram obtidas evidências empíricas que suportem a hipótese de que a liderança transacional seja um antecedente da definição de uso dos sistemas diagnóstico e de restrições. Esperava-se que a liderança transacional tivesse influência, de alguma forma, sobre tais sistemas pelo fato de suas propostas serem condizentes com uma perspectiva de gestão mais rígida. Contudo, para a amostra analisada, isso não foi confirmado. A hipótese de que a definição de uso do sistema de controle diagnóstico influencia positivamente a inovação tecnológica também não foi confirmada, sugerindo que a inovação não está plenamente integrada ao SCG das organizações pesquisadas. Este achado indica que as empresas precisam melhorar seus modelos de gestão para que possam formalizar metas e objetivos específicos sobre inovação e identificar desvios em relação à estratégia pretendida. Em síntese, esta pesquisa expande o conhecimento sobre controle gerencial indicando as formas que as organizações fazem uso do SCG para promover a inovação e obter renovação estratégica. / This research investigates the relationship between leadership style, definition of management control system (MCS) use and technological innovation. Based on transformational and transactional leadership (Bass, 2008) and on the Simons\' (1995) levers of control model, this study explores leadership style as an antecedent of the definition of management control system use and the role of its different use types (beliefs, interactive, diagnostic and boundary systems) on technological innovation . From an electronic questionnaire survey, the findings obtained generate relevant contributions in management control research, even though they may not be assigned a generalized way, but in relation to a sample of 164 organizations, mostly large. With use of the technique of structural equation modeling, evidence that transformational leadership is an antecedent of the interactive use of the MCS and beliefs system were found. This finding demonstrates that the transformational leader gives meaning to the belief system and his behavior creates conditions so that the information generated by the MCS are reviewed, questioned and discussed among members of the organization, facilitating the identification of emergent strategies. The findings also indicate that the belief systems, interactive and boundary positively influence technological innovation. It means that three of the four types of uses provided by Simons (1990, 1991, 1995a) affect innovation, in other words, organizations seeking to innovate in its products and processes should invest : (i) in the communication of values and goals related to innovation, (ii) in discussions involving different areas and members of the business, including considering the possibility of interacting with external agents, and also (iii) in the establishment of boundaries that specify a field of action for employees, providing focus and creating conditions for the intended actions to be developed. The findings also confirm that the economic sector influences technological innovation. No empirical evidence supporting the hypothesis that the transactional leadership as an antecedent of the definition of use of diagnostic and boundaries systems were obtained. It was expected that transactional leadership had influence in some way, on such systems because their proposals are consistent with the prospect of tighter management. However, for the sample analyzed, it was not confirmed. The hypothesis that the definition of diagnostic control system use positively influences technological innovation was also not confirmed, suggesting that innovation is not fully integrated into the MCS of the surveyed organizations. This finding indicates that companies need to improve their management models to enable them to formalize specific goals and objectives on innovation and identify deviations from the intended strategy. In summary, this study expands the knowledge in management control indicating the ways in which organizations use their MCS to promote innovation and obtain strategic renewal.

Esta pesquisa investiga a relação entre estilo de liderança, definição de uso do sistema de controle gerencial (SCG) e inovação tecnológica. Fundamentado nas lideranças transformacional e transacional (Bass, 2008) e no modelo de alavancas de controle de Simons (1995a), este estudo explora o estilo de liderança como um antecedente da definição de uso do sistema de controle gerencial e o papel de seus diferentes tipos de uso (sistemas de crenças, interativo, diagnóstico e de restrições) na inovação tecnológica. A partir de um levantamento realizado com questionário eletrônico, os achados obtidos geram contribuições relevantes para a pesquisa em controle gerencial, ainda que não possam ser atribuídos de maneira generalizada, mas sim em relação a uma amostra de 164 empresas, a maioria de grande porte. Com emprego da técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais, foram encontradas evidências de que a liderança transformacional é um antecedente do uso interativo do SCG e do sistema de crenças. Este achado demonstra que o líder transformacional confere significado ao sistema de crenças e seu comportamento cria condições para que as informações geradas pelo SCG sejam revistas, questionadas e discutidas entre os membros da organização, favorecendo a identificação de estratégias emergentes. Os achados também indicam que os sistemas de crenças, interativo e de restrições influenciam positivamente a inovação tecnológica. Significa que três, dos quatro tipos de usos previstos por Simons (1990, 1991, 1995a), afetam a inovação, ou seja, as empresas que buscam inovar em seus produtos e processos devem investir: (i) na comunicação de valores e objetivos relacionados à inovação, (ii) em discussões que envolvam diferentes áreas e membros do negócio, considerando inclusive a possibilidade de interagir com agentes externos à empresa, e ainda, (iii) no estabelecimento de limites que especifiquem um campo de ação para os colaboradores, fornecendo foco e gerando condições para que as ações pretendidas sejam desenvolvidas. Os achados também confirmam que o setor econômico influencia a inovação tecnológica. Não foram obtidas evidências empíricas que suportem a hipótese de que a liderança transacional seja um antecedente da definição de uso dos sistemas diagnóstico e de restrições. Esperava-se que a liderança transacional tivesse influência, de alguma forma, sobre tais sistemas pelo fato de suas propostas serem condizentes com uma perspectiva de gestão mais rígida. Contudo, para a amostra analisada, isso não foi confirmado. A hipótese de que a definição de uso do sistema de controle diagnóstico influencia positivamente a inovação tecnológica também não foi confirmada, sugerindo que a inovação não está plenamente integrada ao SCG das organizações pesquisadas. Este achado indica que as empresas precisam melhorar seus modelos de gestão para que possam formalizar metas e objetivos específicos sobre inovação e identificar desvios em relação à estratégia pretendida. Em síntese, esta pesquisa expande o conhecimento sobre controle gerencial indicando as formas que as organizações fazem uso do SCG para promover a inovação e obter renovação estratégica. / This research investigates the relationship between leadership style, definition of management control system (MCS) use and technological innovation. Based on transformational and transactional leadership (Bass, 2008) and on the Simons\' (1995) levers of control model, this study explores leadership style as an antecedent of the definition of management control system use and the role of its different use types (beliefs, interactive, diagnostic and boundary systems) on technological innovation . From an electronic questionnaire survey, the findings obtained generate relevant contributions in management control research, even though they may not be assigned a generalized way, but in relation to a sample of 164 organizations, mostly large. With use of the technique of structural equation modeling, evidence that transformational leadership is an antecedent of the interactive use of the MCS and beliefs system were found. This finding demonstrates that the transformational leader gives meaning to the belief system and his behavior creates conditions so that the information generated by the MCS are reviewed, questioned and discussed among members of the organization, facilitating the identification of emergent strategies. The findings also indicate that the belief systems, interactive and boundary positively influence technological innovation. It means that three of the four types of uses provided by Simons (1990, 1991, 1995a) affect innovation, in other words, organizations seeking to innovate in its products and processes should invest : (i) in the communication of values and goals related to innovation, (ii) in discussions involving different areas and members of the business, including considering the possibility of interacting with external agents, and also (iii) in the establishment of boundaries that specify a field of action for employees, providing focus and creating conditions for the intended actions to be developed. The findings also confirm that the economic sector influences technological innovation. No empirical evidence supporting the hypothesis that the transactional leadership as an antecedent of the definition of use of diagnostic and boundaries systems were obtained. It was expected that transactional leadership had influence in some way, on such systems because their proposals are consistent with the prospect of tighter management. However, for the sample analyzed, it was not confirmed. The hypothesis that the definition of diagnostic control system use positively influences technological innovation was also not confirmed, suggesting that innovation is not fully integrated into the MCS of the surveyed organizations. This finding indicates that companies need to improve their management models to enable them to formalize specific goals and objectives on innovation and identify deviations from the intended strategy. In summary, this study expands the knowledge in management control indicating the ways in which organizations use their MCS to promote innovation and obtain strategic renewal.

Background – A firm that achieves organizational ambidexterity is managing the balancing act of refining existing capabilities while also discovering new opportunities in the marketplace. It has shown that the achievement of organizational ambidexterity will lead to better perfor- mance but also long-term survival. The challenge that comes with achieving organizational ambidexterity is present within all firms regardless of size. Yet, extant literature has focused on the research of larger firms. The characteristics may differ significantly between a larger enter- prise and a small-to-medium-sized enterprise. For instance, the amount of available resources appears to differ relative to firm size. As a result, it is reasonable to assume that the way organ- izational ambidexterity is achieved may also differ depending on the size of the firm. It is argued that management control systems play an important role with respect to organiza- tional ambidexterity. Further, these control systems may be viewed as a package of controls which through occurring dynamic tensions, provide the complexity needed for a firm to be ambidextrous. Yet, the role of these interrelated control systems and how they enable ambidex- terity is understudied among SMEs. Purpose – This thesis aims to explore management control systems as a package and its ena- bling role in achieving organizational ambidexterity within SMEs. Method – The empirical data was collected by interviewing members of the top management team within three different SMEs. The empirics were gathered through semi-structured inter- views and then analyzed in relation to reviewed theory within the package approach of man- agement control systems, by conducting a thematic analysis. Findings – The findings from this thesis suggest that SMEs need to find ways to allocate their finite resources in order to meet the current strategic challenge at hand. SMEs have a firm spe- cific focus on either refinement of existing capabilities or discovery of new opportunities de- pending on the current state of the marketplace. While both focuses may be present simultane- ously, the SMEs still need to prioritize one side over the other due to resource limitations. Hence, the findings suggest a hybrid between contextual- and sequential ambidexterity as the most appropriate narrative for the studied SMEs. Management control systems as a package fits into this narrative as tensions occur between the systems which triggers ambidextrous activities. A well-integrated package approach work as a navigation system and may thus facilitate the achievement of current strategic challenges. The finalized framework in this thesis comple- ments existing theory by suggesting two different scenarios occurring within SMEs. In order for SMEs to achieve organizational ambidexterity, a shift between these two scenarios occurs in the long run.

Background: Management Control Systems are shown to be valuable tools for managing different contexts and enhance organizational performance. To succeed with intended strategies, organizations must balance different levers of controls (LOC). The right balance is argued to be dependent on the external environment and contingent factors that surrounds the organization. To understand the role of MCS, one must explore different contexts. Hence, this paper broadens the knowledge about the role of MCS by studying the unexplored context of post-Covid-19. When facing uncertainty, MCS are claimed to be especially important for organizational performance – something that tested in this paper. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between MCS, organizational performance, and the external environment. Also, this paper tests if uncertainty has a moderating effect on these relationships. Method: This study is based within the positivistic paradigm and follows a deductive research approach. It addresses a quantitative methodology where data is gathered from 164 Swedish managers through a structured questionnaire. The empirical data is analysed using multiple linear regressions with- and without moderating effect. Conclusion: The results partly support the alleged positive relationship between the use of MCS and organizational performance. Three out of four LOC are found to be positive correlated with organizational performance. The study did not find support for the claim that uncertainty has a moderating effect on these relationships. This occurrence can be explained by the phenomenon of organizational learning.

En quête de performance, les Third-party Logistics (3PL) sont amenés à réorganiser régulièrement leurs activités d’entrepôt. Peu d’études portent sur les systèmes de mesure de la performance (SMP) dédiés au 3PL. Les auteurs étudient les activités indépendamment les unes des autres alors qu’il existe des relations de cause à effet entre ces dernières. La conception d’un SMP pour la réorganisation des activités conduit à nous interroger sur ses conséquences pour le système de contrôle de gestion, au travers du cadre théorique de Simons.Une Recherche-Intervention est réalisée au sein du 3PL : FM Logistic. Notre contribution porte sur la conception d’un SMP sous forme de graphe de problèmes mettant en relation les connaissances sur la réorganisation des activités des experts et de la littérature scientifique. Ce SMP est construit à partir d’un langage inspiré de la théorie TRIZ. La conception du SMP permet l’analyse de l’évolution d’un contrôle de gestion diagnostique vers l’interactivité. / Third-party logistics (3PL) seek performance by reorganizing regularly their warehouse operations. Few researchers study performance measurement systems (PMS) dedicated to 3PL. Researchers in warehousing design are used to study all the different operations one by one while these operations are linked together. As far as we know the literature does not propose any SMP for warehouse operations reorganization. SMP design leads to analyze the consequences for management control system, studied through Simons’ levers of control.An Intervention-research is conducted in a french 3PL : FM Logistic. Our contribution is the design of a performance measurement system in the form of problem graph which linking both knowledge advocated by a French 3PL and quoted in the literature. This SMP has been designed using a semantic and a syntax inspired by TRIZ problem graph. SMP design enables to analyze interactivity development. Results show the development of diagnostics systems towards interactivity.

Cette thèse étudie le rôle des systèmes de contrôle de gestion soutenables (SCGS) dans la mise en place et la gestion des pratiques RSE. En effet, pour examiner le lien entre les systèmes de contrôle de gestion et la RSE, nous avons mobilisé le cadre conceptuel des contrôles formels et informels, ainsi que les leviers de contrôle de Simons pour comprendre comment les entreprises utilisent ces systèmes. Nous avons mené une étude de cas multiples auprès de grandes entreprises françaises. Les données qualitatives ont été recueillies au cours d'entretiens approfondis semi-directifs avec les managers les mieux informés des pratiques RSE et des systèmes de contrôle de gestion. Les résultats montrent que les entreprises utilisent différents systèmes de contrôle de gestion pour gérer les pratiques RSE envers leurs principales parties prenantes, à savoir les employés, les clients, les fournisseurs et la communauté. Plus précisément, les résultats révèlent que les SCGS sont utilisés pour communiquer les valeurs de la RSE, gérer les risques, évaluer ces pratiques RSE, et identifier les opportunités et les menaces. En outre, l'utilisation des SCGS pour mettre en place les pratiques RSE est principalement déterminée par la nécessité de satisfaire les exigences des principales parties prenantes, gérer les questions de légitimité et de réputation, et répondre aux attentes et engagements de la direction. Enfin, l'utilisation des SCGS est entravée par le manque d'objectifs stratégiques et plan d'actions RSE clairs, par l'absence de normes et processus de mesures internationaux, et par le manque de temps et de ressources financières. / This thesis examines the role of sustainable management control systems (SMCS) to implement and manage CSR practices. In order to examine the relationship between management control systems and CSR, we mobilized the conceptual framework of formal and informal controls, and Simons levers of control to understand how companies use these systems. A multiple-case study was conducted in large french organizations. Qualitative data were collected during in-depth semi-structured interviews with the managers who were best informed on CSR practices and management control systems. The study shows that organizations use different management control systems to manage CSR practices directed toward their salient stakeholders - that is, employees, customers, suppliers, and community. Specifically, we found that SMCS are used to communicate CSR values, manage risk, evaluate CSR practices, and identify opportunities and threats. In addition, the use of theses systems to implement CSR practices is mainly driven by the need to satisfy salient stakeholder demands, manage legitimacy and reputation issues, and meet top management expectations and enhance their commitment. Last, the use of SMCS is hindered by a lack of clear strategic CSR objectives and action plans, a lack of global standards and measurement processes for CSR, and a lack of time and financial resources.

This dissertation is composed of three research papers that deal with the topic of “accounting and innovation” and provide evidence for the area of innovation from two accounting perspectives, i.e., the external disclosure perspective and the internal management control system perspective. The disclosure perspective is addressed in the first paper. Using content analysis, it examines the innovation capital disclosure characteristics, i.e., disclosure quantity and quality, in intellectual capital statements of 51 European for-profit firms. Additionally, the relationship between innovation capital disclosure characteristics and industry, firm size, region of domicile, and disclosure guidelines adopted are analyzed. The second and third paper address the management control system perspective. The second paper contributes to the research on management control systems in product development by exploring the performance effects and the interplay of the levers of control, i.e., interactive, diagnostic, beliefs, and boundary control systems, based on data from a survey of 468 senior managers from the manufacturing industry. Therefore, I compare by structural equation modeling a base model of unrelated levers of control (additive model) with (a) a model of mutual association of levers of control (interdependence model), (b) a model of joint use of levers of control (interaction model), and (c) a combined model of mutual association and joint use of levers of control (combined interdependence/interaction model). The best fitting and most parsimonious model is analyzed in terms of the performance effects of the levers of control. Based on the sample of the second paper, the third paper contributes to the recent literature on the relationship between management control systems and innovation by considering how the four levers of control are used as “packages” in product development. I employ cluster analysis to determine how the levers of control are combined, depending on the type of strategy formation (i.e., intended or emergent) and the degree of innovativeness of the firm. Furthermore, I explore which of these combinations are equifinal in terms of product development and organizational performance.

This dissertation is composed of three research papers that deal with the topic of “accounting and innovation” and provide evidence for the area of innovation from two accounting perspectives, i.e., the external disclosure perspective and the internal management control system perspective. The disclosure perspective is addressed in the first paper. Using content analysis, it examines the innovation capital disclosure characteristics, i.e., disclosure quantity and quality, in intellectual capital statements of 51 European for-profit firms. Additionally, the relationship between innovation capital disclosure characteristics and industry, firm size, region of domicile, and disclosure guidelines adopted are analyzed. The second and third paper address the management control system perspective. The second paper contributes to the research on management control systems in product development by exploring the performance effects and the interplay of the levers of control, i.e., interactive, diagnostic, beliefs, and boundary control systems, based on data from a survey of 468 senior managers from the manufacturing industry. Therefore, I compare by structural equation modeling a base model of unrelated levers of control (additive model) with (a) a model of mutual association of levers of control (interdependence model), (b) a model of joint use of levers of control (interaction model), and (c) a combined model of mutual association and joint use of levers of control (combined interdependence/interaction model). The best fitting and most parsimonious model is analyzed in terms of the performance effects of the levers of control. Based on the sample of the second paper, the third paper contributes to the recent literature on the relationship between management control systems and innovation by considering how the four levers of control are used as “packages” in product development. I employ cluster analysis to determine how the levers of control are combined, depending on the type of strategy formation (i.e., intended or emergent) and the degree of innovativeness of the firm. Furthermore, I explore which of these combinations are equifinal in terms of product development and organizational performance.