Refining the Search for Organizational Success Measures

Measuring organizational success is a continuous challenge for both managers and researchers. While financial measures were in wide use for many years, new frameworks have emerged in recent years that extend organizational perspectives beyond traditional financial measures. Among them the Balanced Scorecard is one of the most popular new frameworks. However, in spite of its wide usage, it has shown to be inadequate in various circumstances and across differing firm types. Additional studies are therefore needed to keep exploring a problem that has been relevant for at least thirty years. This study was dedicated to the question of how to assess the organizational success of commercial firms. It also tested specific measures that are relevant to different kinds of organizations, and provides managers with a useable template for assessing organizational success. We have identified twelve potential baseline measures across five major success dimensions (financial, market, process, people, and future) that can be examined as applicable to different firms and firm types. Specific firms can use this framework as a starting point from which to choose measures that would best fit their environment and strategic direction.