Browsing by Author "Craig, Russell"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Bureaucracy and the balanced scorecard in health care settingsPublication . Costa Oliveira, Helena; Rodrigues, Lúcia Lima; Craig, RussellPurpose – We explore the relationship between the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and neo- bureaucracy by investigating whether the operationalization of the BSC incorporates ‘neo- bureaucratic’ ideas; and whether the BSC implemented in a Portuguese Local Health Unit (LHU) evidences a neo-bureaucratic approach. Design/methodology/approach – We conduct semi-structured interviews with LHU staff and analyse documents to assess whether features of bureaucratic organization were evident in the use of a BSC by the LHU. Findings – We found nine bureaucratic features evident in the LHU’s BSC. These were systematization, rationality, authority, jurisdiction, professional qualification, knowledge, discipline, transparency, and accountability. The BSC used at the LHU evidenced a neo- bureaucratic approach. Originality/value – Our study helps to demystify bureaucracy and overcome prevailing prejudices regarding some of its principles. Health care managers should recognize and endorse neo-bureaucratic principles in developing a BSC. They should recognize the BSC as involving a neo-bureaucratic approach. The BSC is a valuable management tool that hospital managers should find useful fostering flexibility, collaboration, innovation and adaptation – all of which should help lead to improved health care outcomes.
- The presence of bureaucracy in the balanced scorecardPublication . Costa Oliveira, Helena; Lima Rodrigues, Lúcia; Craig, RussellDespite being widely pilloried, bureaucratic processes are present in many organizations as a form of neobureaucracy. In this paper, we analyse whether a technique used in Management Accounting Systems (MAS), known as the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), represents a bureaucratic order. We propose the following set of concepts to identify a bureaucratic order: authority, jurisdiction, professional qualications, knowledge, rationality, discipline, accountability, systematization and transparency. We discuss the presence of such a set of concepts in the design and implementation of the BSC and conclude that the BSC is an example of a neo-bureaucratic order. This paper also underlines another important finding, the value of bureaucracy in attaining good MAS. The theme we explore is overlooked in the accounting literature. This paper can be a starting point for further research.