Strategic Control and Corporate Governance Chapter 9 Strategic Control and Corporate Governance

Two Approaches to Control Traditional control system Contemporary control system

Traditional Approach to Strategic Control

Traditional Approach to Strategic Control Involves lengthy time lags, often tied to the annual planning cycle “Single-loop” learning control system compares actual performance to a predetermined goal Appropriate when Stable and simple environment Goals and objectives can be measured with certainty Little need for complex measures of performance

Contemporary Approach to Strategic Control Informational control Behavioral control Relationships between strategy formulation, implementation and control are highly interactive Two different types of control Informational control Behavioral control

Contemporary Approach to Strategic Control Informational control Concerned with whether or not the organization is “doing the right things” Behavioral control Concerned with whether or not the organization is “doing things right” in the implementation of its strategy

Informational Control Deals with internal environment and external strategic context Key question “Do the organization’s goals and strategies still ‘fit’ within the context of the current strategic environment?” Two key issues Scan and’ monitor external environment (general and industry) Continuously monitor the internal environment

Informational Control Traditional approach Understanding of the assumption base is an initial step in the process of strategy formulation Contemporary approach Information control is part of an ongoing process of organizational learning that updates and challenges the assumptions underlying the firm’s strategy

Informational Control The Firm’s Update and challenge the assumptions Assumptions Premises Contemporary Control System Continuously Monitor Test Review Goals Strategies

Behavioral Control Behavioral control is focused on implementation—doing things right Three key control “levers” Culture Rewards Boundaries

Behavioral Control: Balancing Culture, Rewards, and Boundaries Traditional approach Emphasizes comparing outcomes to predetermined strategies and fixed rules Contemporary approach A balance between Culture Rewards Boundaries Adapted from Exhibit 9.3 Essential Elements of Strategic Control

Characteristics of Effective Contemporary Control Systems Changing information Control system must focus on Constantly changing information Information identified by managers as having potential strategic importance

Characteristics of Effective Contemporary Control Systems Changing information Information Important enough to demand frequent and regular attention from operating managers at all levels of the organization Important information

Characteristics of Effective Contemporary Control Systems Changing information Data and information generated by the control system Interpreted and discussed in face-to-face meetings Superiors Subordinates Peers Important information Interpretation and discussion of information

Characteristics of Effective Contemporary Control Systems Changing information Control system is a key catalyst for ongoing debate Underlying data Assumptions Action plans Important information Interpretation and discussion of information Centrality of control system

Building a Strong and Effective Culture Organizational culture is a system of Shared values (what is important) Beliefs (how things work) Organizational culture shapes a firm’s People Organizational structures Control systems Organizational culture produces Behavioral norms

Building a Strong and Effective Culture The role of culture Culture sets implicit boundaries Dress Ethical matters The way an organization conducts its business Culture acts as a means of reducing monitoring costs

Building a Strong and Effective Culture The role of culture Effective culture must be Cultivated Encouraged Fertilized Maintaining an effective culture Storytelling Rallies or pep talks by top executives Sustaining an effective culture

Motivating with Rewards and Incentives Rewards and incentive systems Powerful means of influencing an organization’s culture Focuses efforts on high-priority tasks Motivates individual and collective task performance Can be an effective motivator and control mechanism

Motivating with Rewards and Incentives Potential downside Subcultures may arise in different business units with multiple reward systems May reflect differences among functional areas, products, services and divisions Shared values may emerge in subculture in opposition to patterns of the dominant culture Reward systems may lead to information hoarding, working at cross purposes

Motivating with Rewards and Incentives Creating effective reward and incentive programs Objectives are clear, well understood and broadly accepted Rewards are clearly linked to performance and desired behaviors Performance measures are clear and highly visible Feedback is prompt, clear, and unambiguous Compensation “system” is perceived as fair and equitable Structure is flexible; it can adapt to changing circumstances

Setting Boundaries and Constraints Focus efforts on strategic priorities Short-term objectives Specific and measurable Specific time horizon for attainment Achievable, but challenging Provide proper direction, but be flexible when faced with need to change Short-term action plans Specific Can be implemented Individual managers held accountable for implementation of action plans

Setting Boundaries and Constraints Rule-based controls most appropriate in firms with the following characteristics Stable and predictable environments Largely unskilled and interchangeable employees Consistency in product and service is critical Risk of malfeasance is extremely high Guidelines Can set spending limits and range of discretion Can specify proper relationships with customers and suppliers

Organizational Control: Alternative Approaches Approach Some Situational Factors Culture: a system of unwritten rules that forms an internalized influence over behavior. Often found in professional organizations Associated with high autonomy Norms are the basis for behavior Rules: Written and explicit guidelines that provide external constraints on behavior. Associated with standardized output Tasks are generally repetitive and routine Little need for innovation or creative activity

Organizational Control: Alternative Approaches Approach Some Situational Factors Rewards: The use of performance-based incentive systems to motivate. Measurement of output and performance is rather straightforward Most appropriate in organizations pursuing unrelated diversification strategies Rewards may be used to reinforce other means of control

Evolving from Boundaries to Rewards and Culture Organizations should strive to have boundaries internalized System of rewards and incentives coupled with a strong culture Hire the right people (already identify with the firm’s dominant values) Train people in the dominant cultural values Have managerial role models Reward systems clearly aligned with organizational goals and objectives

Business-Level Strategy and Strategic Control: Overall Cost Leadership Firms competing on the basis of cost must implement Tight cost controls Frequent and comprehensive reports to monitor costs associated with outputs Highly structured tasks and responsibilities Incentives based on explicit financial targets, rather than innovation and creativity

Business-Level Strategy and Strategic Control: Differentiation Firms competing on the basis of differentiation must implement Employ experts who can identify crucial elements of intricate, creative designs and marketing decisions Support for collaboration and cooperation among specialists and functional managers Behavioral performance measures and intangible incentives and rewards

Corporate-Level Strategy and Strategic Control Key issue is the need for independence versus interdependence Cost strategies and unrelated diversification Less need for interdependence Reward and control systems focus more on financial indicators Differentiation or related diversification Intense need for tight interdependencies among functional areas and business units Sharing of resources is critical Synergies are more important than cost leadership Heavy use of behavioral performance indicators

Relationships Between Control and Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies Primary Type Level of Types of Need for of Rewards Strategy Strategy Interdependence and Controls Business-level Overall cost leadership Low Financial Business-level Differentiation High Behavioral Corporate-level Related diversification High Behavioral Corporate-level Unrelated diversification Low Financial