The development of SME managerial practice for effective performance management

Aylin Ates, Patrizia Garengo, Paola Cocca, Umit Bititci

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    168 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the gap between theory and practice in performance management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and analyse it in the light of specific SME characteristics and needs, to identify how SMEs can develop their managerial practice for effective performance management.

    Design/methodology/approach – The design of the study is based on literature review and multiple case studies. Combining both approaches and investigating a spectrum of 37 European SMEs through 232 semi-structured and face-to-face interviews with managers helped the authors to provide theoretical and empirical evidence to offer a more effective performance management process for SMEs.

    Findings – The paper found that SMEs engage with a four-stage performance management process, although there are some gaps between their practice and the complete process as recommended in literature. SMEs seem to be more focussed on internal and short-term planning, whereas they pay less attention to long-term planning. The main challenge for making performance management practice more effective lies in an appropriate, balanced use of strategic and operational practices and relevant measures. Therefore, managerial activities such as vision, mission and values development, internal and external communication, change management and horizon scanning represent recommended areas for improvement.

    Originality/value – The paper suggests a number of ways to improve the SME managerial practice to achieve a more balanced view of the whole performance process, which includes the mechanisms for the development and implementation of good practice in performance management.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)28-54
    Number of pages27
    JournalJournal of Small Business and Enterprise Development
    Volume20
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The development of SME managerial practice for effective performance management'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this