A study on the key factors in the implementation of models of organizational performance measurement

Abstract

There is a world-wide trend toward the search of knowledge about the measurement of corporate performance. One can see a variety of models focused on the measurement of organizational performance. The specialized literature highlights the benefits and characteristics of the Models of Measurement of Organizational Performance (MMOPs), but without elaborating on the key factors that are essential for an effective implementation of those models in the business environment. This article discusses the following research problem: What are the key factors in the efficient implementation of a MMOP? These factors were investigated by means of bibliographical research and a case study conducted at the Pelágio Oliveira S.A. (Fábrica Estrela), a traditional pasta and biscuit plant in northeastern Brazil. The study was carried out in the light of the Balanced Scorecard – BSC and the Partners for Excellence Programs – PAEX. The bibliographical research evidenced a set of factors that can be grouped in 7 topics: strategy, information system, people, leadership and management, communication, processes, organizational culture. The field research demonstrated that many of those key factors had been carefully dealt with by Pelágio Oliveira S.A. and contributed to the success of the implementation of its model of organizational performance measurement between 2001 and 2003.

Key words: measurement, performance, balanced scorecard.