Management Control of the Process of Evolution: Fact or Fiction?

8th International Conference on Socio-Economics, Geneva, Switzerland, 14 July 1996

26 Pages Posted: 8 Feb 2013

See all articles by Remko Renes

Remko Renes

Nyenrode Business University

Marc Erve

Strategic Learning Systems

Date Written: June 6, 1996

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a research-project to integrate the Management Control Framework, based upon the COSO report Internal Control - Integrated Framework [1992], and the theory of Evolution Management. The research question is to explore whether this Management Control Framework is of use in the process of evolution.

Today effective management control systems are no guarantee for success tomorrow. Even winning the “Baldridge Award” for quality management is no guarantee for survival. From an evolutionary point of view, the principles of natural growth and self-organisation, show that organisations evolve through different stages such as no growth, new growth, high growth and declining growth. Not (high) growth, as is often assumed, but survival is the pivotal criterium.

Our paper presents the results of an opinion survey among 131 high-level managers in 109 organisations across 7 countries in Europe. The survey was conducted to identify the organisational states and directions which have naturally evolved and to explore the perceptions, if not, misconceptions of management. The contributing corporations include profit and non-profit organizations in a wide variety of industries.

The research results are remarkable. Not only is the unreversable proces of evolution confirmed. The survey also shows how managers’ perception of organisational success and effective management control systems are biased by the stage of high growth. Declining growth, no growth and to a certain extent, new growth tend to be seen as failure.

The paper concludes with an innovative view on how to use these findings in the design of an effective management control-system which better supports companies in the different stages of growth.

Keywords: management control, evolution management, COSO, internal control

Suggested Citation

Renes, Remko and Erve, Marc, Management Control of the Process of Evolution: Fact or Fiction? (June 6, 1996). 8th International Conference on Socio-Economics, Geneva, Switzerland, 14 July 1996, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2213369 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2213369

Remko Renes (Contact Author)

Nyenrode Business University ( email )

Straatweg 25
P.O. Box 130
Breukelen, 3620 AC
Netherlands

Marc Erve

Strategic Learning Systems ( email )

1152 Westhiemer
Ste. 660
Houston, TX 77042
United States

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