Mobilizing change through the management control of intangibles

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the management control of intangibles in three Swedish companies. The present analysis is discussed in terms of four theoretical perspectives, namely, evolutionary, action, organizational learning and structuration theory. The results indicate that such enablers of performance as customer and employee perceptions of individuals and organizational and relational competence are the key attributes that firms address. Equally important, however, are different routines that facilitate learning and the transformation of knowledge into action. Routines additional to surveys include statistical analysis, benchmarking, dialogues, salary bonuses, and contracts.