Strategic Management Accounting and Performance Measurement Systems: A Loose Coupling?

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the association between strategic management accounting (SMA) and performance measurement system (PMS) based on configurational and contingency theories assumptions. For that, data were collected from 98 higher-level accounting managers working in Saudi companies listed at the Saudi Exchange's Main Market at the end of 2022. The results show that there is a positive and significant correlation between SMA and PMS, and there is a statistically significant positive effect of the level of practicing SMA on PMS adopted by surveyed companies. This means that the company that is practicing SMA in higher level tends to adopt a nontraditional PMS. The results also show that there is a statistically significant difference between surveyed companies in the level of performance due to the linkage between their PMS and SMA practices. Appropriate linkage between SMA and PMS leads for better performance. However, the present study supports the idea that SMA can be a contextual factor affecting the type of PMS adopted by companies.