The Effect Of Using The Balanced Scorecard Information Technology Essay

The Effect Of Using The Balanced Scorecard In trunkation Technology EssayThis research is basically to access and analyse the consummation of the single-valued function of equilibrate lineup as a strategic management dodge in an organisation.In the course of this research, extensive literature review of the balanced calling card go away be made. However, this research depart run in the confines of a case study. Since the aim of this research is to analyse the effect of utilise the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system, ASDA/WALMART SUPERSTORES provide be smashd as a case study.ASDA/WALMART is the second largest seller in the United Kingdom and the use of the balanced scored card as a strategic management system will help them align their vision with check off accusings of the organisation. After much research consideration of this subject matter, it can be established that this approach can work for any organisation in the retail industry.CHAPTER ONE1.0 INTRODUCTIONThe balanced scorecard (BSC) model was developed by US academics Robert Kaplan and David Norton in response to the shortcomings of traditional fiscal measures. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is a management tool that helps to align behaviour of all employees to the organisations strategy (Marr, B. Neely, A, 2003) Tuan, L.T and Venkatesh, S. supported that the balanced scorecard (BSC) provides a framework which encourages the use of financial and non-financial measures of performance. This also will al paltry organisation to identify its strategic object. This can be achieved by balancing four core perspectives- Financial perspective, customer perspective, internal business execute perspective and learning and growth perspective to measure performance (Kaplan and Norton 1992)BACKGROUNDSource www.theagileexecutive.comCHAPTER TWOLITERATURE REVIEW2.1 INTRODUCTIONCHAPTER THREE look OBJECTIVESTo fly the coop come push through of the closet a critical literature review to id entify and assess the role of the use of balanced scorecard performance appraisal systemTo visualise the criticism of the balanced scorecard as against the traditional methods of performance measurements.To carry out an empirical research to establish the horizons of the top Management team of ASDA/WALMART approximately the use of the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system.To find out whether the middle managers in ASDA/WALMART support the use of the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system and if they find it effective?To come to a conclusion on the extent to which the use of the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system is effective.3.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVESAfter carrying out a literature review to collate data on the views of polar authors on the use of balanced scorecard as a strategic management system, a set of researchs will be prepared. This is necessary so as to be able to cause a wide range of top management and middle managers view on the subject matter.In order to nonplus relevant information needed to achieve the objectives stated below questionnaires will be sent and delivered to top management team and middle managers of ASDA/WALMART for the following closesTo visit the controversies of the use of the balance scorecard as a strategic management system.To analyse and establish the opinions of top management team and middle managers on the effectuality of the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system.To draw a conclusion on the extent to which the balanced scorecard model is much effective than traditional methods of performance appraisal.3.3 RESEARCH APPROACH3.3.1 RESEARCH PHILOSOPHYBlaikie, N. (2003) defined positivism as the research that assumes that social reality is external to mess conveyd and only the aspect that can be measured are regarded as relevant to research.Jackson, W. (1995) stated that research just like positivism relies on experiments, survey and secondary data, therefore, according to the research onion model, my research philosophy is positivism based. The author will be using questionnaire which comes under the Survey category.3.4 RESEARCH STRATEGYThe deductive approach research strategy will be utilize for this research because sufficient materials like journals, articles and periodicals are available to carry out a test on how effective is the use of the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system.This research approach will involve different researches strategies ranging from Experiment Survey, Case Study, Ethnography and action investigate but the Survey strategy will be used for this research.Survey strategy and questionnaire selection are chosen under this category leaving behind the structured interview and observation.Kumar, R (1999, p.104) stated that sometimes information required to carry out a research are readily available but needed to be gathered or collected from different sources to get the clue to what bingle is tryin g to find out or achieve.To achieve the objective of this research as earlier stated above, questions will be tailored to answer the Research Objectives.Questionnaire was chosen because it allows the collection of data from a sizeable population i.e. the top management team and middle managers of ASDA/WALMART.The delivery and collection questionnaire method is considered appropriate for this research. The questionnaire will be delivered in person to selected top management team and middle managers, asking them of a possible date of collection. This is chosen to be the best form of questionnaire method necessary to achieve the aim of the research, Saunders et al (2009)The author considered interview as another option to this research, but realised that time may be a limiting factor. It may be impossible to interview all the top management team/middle managers of ASDA/WALMART.The author also considered the convenience of reply the structured interview as respondents may be busy with other business matters on the sidereal day of interview. This may cause lack of concentration or simply not getting the best from the person interviewed.If time permits, additional information through interview would be gathered. This will be done by carefully selecting respondents from the questionnaire who are willing to supply more information on the subject matter and are ready to be interviewed, to assist in achieving the objective of the research.A question will be in the questionnaire asking whether respondent are willing to give further information to help achieve the research objective (Interview).Other research strategy or methods are considered inappropriate for this kind of research.ADVANTAGES OF QUESTIONNAIREQuestionnaires are generally seen as been cheaper to disseminate compared to interviews. Researchers and authors believe that questionnaire saves time, human and financial resources.Bryman, A. (2004, p. 133) added that, the reduction in cost of carrying out a res earch is an advantage considering a sample that is geographically widely dispersed.Questionnaires are also quicker to administer as they can be sent out through the post, distributed in an office, school or working place etc.It also offer greater anonymity as some questions are sensitive and are best asked without face to face interaction, Kumar R. added.This allows the respondent to freely express his/her opinion on the stem of research.According to Bryman, A. (2004), it has been argued that the characteristics of the interviewers (and respondents) do affect the answers that people give. It was discovered that characteristics like ethnicity, gender, social earth of the interviewer may combine to bias the answers that the respondent provides.This is also part of the reason why questionnaire was chosen to be the most appropriate method of data collection.DISADVANTAGES OF QUESTIONNAIREDespite all these advantages, questionnaire also has its own disadvantages and these are discussed belowQuestionnaire can only be applied to a population that can read and write. This does not provide opportunity for the population sector that is part of the research that is illiterate, very materialization or old, or handicapped, Kumar R. stated.A low response rate or low feedback from the distributed questionnaire is a major disadvantage of the use of questionnaire. Some of the distributed questionnaires are thrown in the waste bin, some are forgotten where they are kept by the respondent these do not make the researcher to get a perfect picture on the subject matter and conclusion may be drawn from few respondent who returned the questionnaire.Kumar, R. (1999), stated factors that can contribute to low response of the questionnaire as followsThe interest of the sample population on the topic of study the layout and length of the questionnaire the methodological analysis used to deliver the questionnaire.In tackling these factors for the purpose of this research, I lead care fully selected auditing firms that are directly involved in provision of non audit services. I have also considered the small business entities that desire the use of auditors for both auditing purposes and non audit services.Gill, J. and Johnson, P. (1997, p.89), stated that all questions in the questionnaire should be really relevant to the research question, therefore I have handled the issue of relevance, layout and length of question with care.I have also made up my mind to deliver the questionnaires in person to the sample of population selected and asking a convenient day and time for collection of the questionnaire. This approach will assist to reduce the task of low response rate experienced using questionnaires.Another disadvantage of questionnaire is that respondent does not have the opportunity to ask for clarification on issues. This does affect the quality of information supplied by respondent. The may also cause collation problem for the researcher, if different resp ondent interpret same question differently. In handling this, the questions in the questionnaire will be set in a simple and unambiguous manner. The questions will be stated in clear terms for all to understand.Questionnaire cannot probe, stated Bryman, A. (2004). The researcher cannot probe further on an issue apart from that which is in the questionnaire.The only way that questionnaire can be made to probe is by asking an open-ended question.In Open- ended questions possible responses are not precondition to the respondent. The respondent write down the answers in his/her words, Kumar, R. (1999, p.116)The disadvantage of open ended questions is that it may be difficult for the research to summarise his find as opinion of respondent may be far apart/ different from each other making it difficult for researcher to summarise and conclude.Kumar, R. (1999), gave another disadvantage of questionnaire as its inability to be supplemented with other information like interview which can b e supplemented with observation.To handle this, if time permit as earlier stated an interview will be conducted to supplement (additional information) the information gathered through questionnaire.CHAPTER FOURRESEARCH METHODOLOGYConduct a review of literature on the use of balanced scorecard as a strategic management system in order to develop research question.A case study methodology will be used as the primary research methodA questionnaire will be developed with question based on the backgroundand objective of the research.The questions in the questionnaire will seek to test the research question does the use of the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system have any effect on performance?The questionnaire will be distributed to the corporate directors and also Middle Managers of ASDA.Data analysis that will be used is percentage method and chart, to evaluate the effect of non audit service on auditors independence.4. If required, conduct interviews with some auditors after the collation of Questionnaire.RESEARCH DESIGNDATA postulateThe Data required are data that will give information about the effects of the use of the balanced scorecard. Also data that will give information about how middle managers find the implementation and what their opinion will be is very essential too.SOURCE OF DATATextbooks, journals, online and articles will be consulted. schooling will also be gathered through questionnaires.SAMPLE PLANNING/SAMPLE SIZEDATA ANALYSISCharts and graphs and grant chart will be used to analyse findings.HYPOTHESIS TESTINGHypothesis drawn on this research will be tested and the most appropriate will be considered in the course of this project.CHAPTER FIVEEXPECTED RESULTS/FINDINGSIt is expected that the response that will be gathered from the ASDA/WALMART will be the secondary data that will be analysed to help us come to a conclusion on the research.RESOURCESI have access to finances that can sustain the research program. I have access to libraries, books, journals, online e-books and organisations.CONTINGENCY PLANPlans are in place to continue with this research in case the current methodology fails. Structured interview will be used, however this approach may be time consuming and respondents too may not be readily available.We will need to have this approach as a backup plan.