Performance Measurement in SMEs: Literature Review and Results from a German Case Study

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 411-427, 2008

Posted: 18 Apr 2008 Last revised: 30 Sep 2009

See all articles by Alexander Brem

Alexander Brem

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg-Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg - School of Business & Economics; Mads Clausen Institute

Nico Kreusel

VEND consulting GmbH

Christian Neusser

VEND consulting GmbH

Abstract

A literature review of Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) in Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) shows that the main contributions focus on the development of theoretical models, but not on guidelines for practical implementation. In this context, an important neglected aspect is the general fitness or readiness of a SME to implement a PMS. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to determine critical prerequisites for a successful PMS implementation in SMEs. For this purpose, a case study in a German SME was conducted. The findings indicate that the existence of specific contingency factors - Corporate Strategy, software-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Activity Based Costing (ABC) - strongly supports the successful implementation of a PMS and its later use. Hence, further research shall include these prerequisites as new variables determining the PMS process. Based on that, researchers and managers of SMEs can develop individual indicators to identify their own PMS readiness.

Keywords: management of small- and medium-sized enterprises, performance

JEL Classification: M10, O20

Suggested Citation

Brem, Alexander and Kreusel, Nico and Neusser, Christian, Performance Measurement in SMEs: Literature Review and Results from a German Case Study. International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 411-427, 2008 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1121296

Alexander Brem (Contact Author)

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg-Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg - School of Business & Economics ( email )

Nuremberg
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.tm.rw.fau.eu

Mads Clausen Institute ( email )

Alsion 2
Sønderborg, 6400
Denmark
004565509246 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.sdu.dk/mci

Nico Kreusel

VEND consulting GmbH

Burgschmietstr. 2-4
Nuremberg, 90419
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.vend-consulting.de

Christian Neusser

VEND consulting GmbH ( email )

Burgschmietstr. 2-4
Nuremberg, 90419
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.vend-consulting.de

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