The framework of control levers: An exploratory analysis of the balance within Moroccan companies listed on the Casablanca stock exchange
List of Authors
  • Meriem Alaoui , Soukayna Ouachi

Keyword
  • Management control system, Framework of control levers, dynamic tension, Concept of balance

Abstract
  • The impact of control levers’ framework on management control research is undeniably significant. However, this framework has been criticized mainly because of the notion of balance. Indeed, the central theme of control lever’ framework (Simons, 1995) is that control is achieved by balancing the forces of four control levers which are belief control, limit control, diagnostic control and interactive control. The power of these four levers does not lie in the way each one of them is used, but in the way they complement each other, which helps creating balance (Simons, 1995). According to (Simons, 1995), these levers generate positive and negative forces which jointly lead to a dynamic tension between innovation and strategic renewal. They also create predictable achievement of objectives that guarantee the long-term success of the organization. The aim of our study is to examine the concept of balance of control levers within Moroccan companies listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange and to provide empirical information on the various existing equilibrium models. By identifying the empirical manifestations of equilibrium, our study should highlight a key concept in the framework of control levers.

Reference
  • 1. Bruining, H., Bonnet, M., & Wright, M. (2004). Management control systems and strategy change in buyouts. Management Accounting Research, (15), 155–177.

    2. Doty, D. H., & Glick, W. H. (1994). Typologies as a unique form of theory building : Toward improved understanding and modeling. 19, 230–251.

    3. Henri, J.-F. (2006). Management control systems and strategy : A resource-based perspective. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 31(6), 529‐558.

    4. Hill, C. W. L., Hitt, M. A., & Hoskisson, R. E. (1992). Cooperative versus competitive structures in related and unrelated diversified firms. (3), 501–521.

    5. Meyer, A. D., Tsui, A. S., & Hinings, C. R. (1993). Configurational approaches to organizational analysis. (36), 1175–1195.

    6. Milgrom, P., & Roberts, J. (1990). The economics of modern manufacturing technology, strategy and organisation. The American Economic Review, 311–328.

    7. Mundy, J. (2010). Creating dynamic tensions through a balanced use of management control systems. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 35(5), 499‐523.

    8. Simons, R. (1995). Levers of Control : How Managers Use Innovative Control Systems to Drive Strategic Renewal. Harvard Business School Press.

    9. Simsek, Z., Heavey, C., Veiga, J. F., & Souder, D. (2009). A Typology for aligning organizational ambidexterity’s conceptualizations, antecedents, and outcomes. (46), 864–894.

    10. Sweeney, B., Curtis, E., & Martyn, P. (2012). Challenges in the application of Simons’Levers of Control Framework. Working paper.

    11. Tuomela, T. (2005). The interplay of different levers of control : A case study of introducing a new performance measurement system. Management Accounting Research, 16(3), 293-320.

    12. Widener, S. K. (2007). An empirical analysis of the levers of control framework. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 32(7‐8), 757‐788.