Implementing responsibility centre management in a higher educational institution
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management
ISSN: 1741-0401
Article publication date: 12 January 2021
Issue publication date: 2 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the design, development and implementation of responsibility centre management at a mid-sized Canadian university, within the context of decentralized decision-making. More specifically our study focused on the design, development and implementation of a revenue and cost allocation process known as transparent activity–based budgeting system (TABBS).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted this study using a qualitative case study methodology, rooted in grounded theory, as the primary approach to collect and analyse data, and report the findings. Primary data were collected from ten participants using semi-structured interviews.
Findings
The main takeaways from our research are that (1) such systems take time to design, develop and implement, (2) consultation, communication and information sharing and model adjustment and refinement are important enabling mechanisms, (3) internal and external events posed significant challenges, (4) although such systems are often designed keeping in mind several intended outcomes, there exists the possibility of experiencing some unintended consequences and (5) the juxtaposition of the above has the potential to negatively or positively impact organizational performance.
Originality/value
The research demonstrates that the design, development and implementation of a complex resource allocation model is an important element of a responsibility-centred approach to planning and decision-making. It highlights the importance and contribution of enabling mechanisms as well as the challenges that large, complex organizations may confront when introducing change.
Keywords
Citation
Rigby, J., Kobussen, G., Kalagnanam, S. and Cannon, R. (2021), "Implementing responsibility centre management in a higher educational institution", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 70 No. 8, pp. 2374-2392. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-05-2020-0218
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited