Title: How to communicate measurement information successfully in small and medium-sized enterprises: a regression model

Authors: Juhani Ukko, Jussi Karhu, Hannu Rantanen

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lahti Unit, Saimaankatu 11, FI-15140 Lahti, Finland. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lahti Unit, Saimaankatu 11, FI-15140 Lahti, Finland. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lahti Unit, Saimaankatu 11, FI-15140 Lahti, Finland

Abstract: The role of internal communication has been highlighted in the earlier literature on Performance Measurement (PM). This paper focuses on the predictors that explain the success of the communication of measurement information in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) operating in the manufacturing industry. The study is based on a survey carried out in eight companies. The results indicate that the quality of information and face-to-face communication are the main predictors of the success of measurement information communication in SMEs. The study suggests that SMEs should invest in the quality aspects of measurement information, in its exactness, reliability, intelligibility and usefulness.

Keywords: performance measurement; PM; information quality; internal communication; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; regression models; manufacturing industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIQ.2007.013375

International Journal of Information Quality, 2007 Vol.1 No.1, pp.41 - 59

Published online: 23 Apr 2007 *

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