THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRATEGIC PRIORITIES, MANAGEMENT-TECHNIQUES AND MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING - AN EMPIRICAL-INVESTIGATION USING A SYSTEMS-APPROACH

The study examines how combinations of management techniques and manag ement accounting practices enhance the performance of organizations, u nder particular strategic priorities. Companies were identified as emp hasizing product differentiation, low price strategies or a combinatio n of both. Management techniques included in the study mere improving existing processes; quality systems; manufacturing systems innovations ; integrating systems; team-based structures and human resource manage ment policies. Management accounting practices important in assisting managers implement management techniques were traditional management a ccounting techniques; activity-based techniques; balanced performance measures; employee-based measures; benchmarking and strategic planning . A systems approach, using cluster analysis, was used to examine hypo thesized associations between performance and a range of management te chniques and management accounting practices, under various strategic orientations. This provided a method to examine the way in which the e ntire range of variables combined to affect performance. (C) 1998 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.