What is Management Control Systems

This chapter discusses the results of an investigation into the effects of control systems on organizational performance within the context of Quality Management (QM). Data were collected using questionnaires from 205 managers within local authority organizations in Malaysia. Respondents were selected using stratified random sampling, and the data was analyzed using two computer software programs: SPSS and AMOS. The findings demonstrate the existence of a significant effect for Quality Management Control Systems (QMCS) on employee satisfaction, innovation, and cost benefit. Although the direct effect of QMCS on customer satisfaction was insignificant, this relationship was mediated by the dimensions of employee satisfaction and cost benefit. In summary, this chapter provides evidence for the significant role performed by control systems as a source for performance improvement within QM-organizations. In addition, this study reveals that the relationship between control systems and performance is not a simple and direct relationship but rather a structural relationship.