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This article deals with how to test for and evaluate interdependence among control practices in a management control system using structural equation modeling. Empirical research on the levers of control (LOC) framework is used as an example. In LOC research, a path model approach to interdependence has been developed. The appropriateness of this approach is evaluated, developed, and compared with the correlation of residuals approach (seemingly unrelated regression) implemented in the wider complementarity literature. Empirical examples of the different models are shown and compared by using a data set on LOC of 120 SBUs in Sweden. The empirical results show that modeling interdependence among control practices in a management control system as non-recursive (bi-directional) paths or as residual correlations evidently affects the conclusions drawn about interdependence in terms of both presence and magnitude. The two models imply different views on how to conceptualize interdependence and are not statistically and empirically comparable. If using non-recursive path models, several model specification issues appear. To be able to identify such models, this needs to be carefully considered in the theory and research design prior to data collection.

Three functions are identified and integrated into one unique control scheme for multivariate quality control. The control scheme will identify any out‐of‐control samples, select the subset of variables that are out of control, and diagnose the out‐of‐control variables. New control variable selection algorithm and diagnosis methods are proposed and a framework for the control scheme is developed based on simulation results.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the need for a universal method for sensorless controlled induction motor drive diagnosis. The increasing number of sensorless control systems in industrial applications require a universal method for the drive diagnosis, which provides reliable diagnostic reasoning independent of control system structure and state variables measurement or estimation method.

Simulations and experimental investigation has been done with assumptions of multiscalar control system as a generalized vector control method, voltage source inverter application, sensorless control system based on selected speed observer structure and squirrel cage induction motor. Broken rotor symptoms are analyzed in the state variables and control system variables using DSP processing without outside measurement devices.

Symptoms of rotor asymmetry caused by broken rotor in the state and control variables was identified and symptoms amplitudes were compared. Based on the simulation and experimental results a new diagnosis method was proposed.

For early broken rotor detection there is a need to identify variables most sensitive to rotor asymmetry. In closed‐loop operation broken rotor symptom signals amplitudes are changed due to control system influence and in sensorless control due to used estimator frequency characteristics. The proposed method assumption is to aggregate symptoms in variables that altogether give results for broken rotor range regardless of applied control system structure or state variable estimator.

This paper shows control system influence to rotor fault symptom amplitudes in the state and control system variables. Identified phenomena is used for a new diagnosis method development.

The aim of this paper is to undertake analysis and comparison of the closed‐loop and sensorless control systems sensitivity to the broken rotor for diagnostic purposes. For the same vector control system induction motor drive analysis concerning operation with the asymmetric motor, broken rotor fault handling and operation were investigated. Reliability, range of stable operation, fault symptoms and application of diagnosis methods based on control system variables utilization was analyzed.

Induction motor drive vector control system synthesis was applied using the multiscalar variables of the machine model with nonlinear feedback linearization applied to use classical cascaded PI controllers for the speed‐torque and flux decoupled control. Speed observer was applied for the rotor flux and rotor speed estimation for the sensorless control system synthesis.

Relative sensitivity of the state and control system variables to broken rotor fault based on experimental results for the closed‐loop and sensorless control systems is presented and compared. Drawbacks of using the MCSA analysis for the rotor fault diagnosis in the closed‐loop and sensorless control systems are pointed. Advantages and drawbacks of the state space estimators filtering characteristics in the sensorless control system are described.

Asymmetric IM motor drive handling and diagnosis. Broken rotor range diagnosis inconsistency using the popular MCSA method should be considered in the closed‐loop and sensorless control system of the induction motor drive. Depending on the IM motor drive application and the operation requirements the results can be used for asymmetric machine proper handling, choosing proper control system structure and control system variables for rotor fault early diagnosis.

Sensitivity of the state and control system variables to broken rotor fault based on experimental results for the closed‐loop and sensorless control systems is presented, which implies motor handling procedures and fault diagnosis.

Internal control mechanisms are fundamental to organizational governance; particularly, to the agency relationship associated with decentralization of decision rights. Management accounting and organizational literatures provide conflicting predictions on the association between decentralization and internal controls, with some research arguing that internal controls be tightened to mitigate the risks associated with greater decentralization of decision rights while other work avers that tighter internal controls defeat the purposes of decentralization. In this chapter, we argue that managers choose these two organizational design variables jointly. Capitalizing on a unique database of control practices in the purchasing and payment process within the procurement function, this chapter examines the relationship between control tightness – a critical characteristic of internal controls – and decentralization. Using a simultaneous equation model, the study finds that decentralization and internal control design are endogenously determined. Tight control is negatively associated with the level of decentralization, while decentralization has a positive effect on the tightness of control. These results reconcile the apparently contradictory results relating these two variables. The chapter also finds that decentralization and tight control mechanisms operate both independently and synergistically to improve performance.

In the context of a developing country, Indian buildings need further research to channelize energy needs optimally to reduce energy wastage, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Also, reduction in smart devices’ costs with sequential advancements in Information and Communication Technology have resulted in an environment where model predictive control (MPC) strategies can be easily implemented. This study aims to propose certain preemptive measures to minimize the energy costs, while ensuring the thermal comfort for occupants, resulting in better greener solutions for building structures.

A simulation-based multi-input multi-output MPC strategy has been proposed. A dual objective function involving optimized energy consumption with acceptable thermal comfort has been achieved through simultaneous control of indoor temperature, humidity and illumination using various control variables. A regression-based lighting model and seasonal auto-regressive moving average with exogenous inputs (SARMAX) based temperature and humidity models have been chosen as predictor models along with four different control levels incorporated.

The mathematical approach in this study maintains an optimum tradeoff between energy cost savings and satisfactory occupants’ comfort levels. The proposed control mechanism establishes the relationships of output variables with respect to control and disturbance variables. The SARMAX and regression-based predictor models are found to be the best fit models in terms of accuracy, stability and superior performance. By adopting the proposed methodology, significant energy savings can be accomplished during certain hours of the day.

This study has been done on a specific corporate entity and future analysis can be done on other corporate or residential buildings and in other geographical settings within India. Inclusion of sensitivity analysis and non-linear predictor models is another area of future scope.

This study presents a dynamic MPC strategy, using five disturbance variables which further improves the overall performance and accuracy. In contrast to previous studies on MPC, SARMAX model has been used in this study, which is a novel contribution to the theoretical literature. Four levels of control zones: pre-cooling, strict, mild and loose zones have been used in the calculations to keep the Predictive Mean Vote index within acceptable threshold limits.

The purpose of the paper is to examine the association between the corporate ownership characteristics and the timely remediation of internal control weaknesses over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002.

The paper employs both ordered and binary logistic regression models for a sample of 695 US firms who reported internal control weaknesses for the first time, pursuant to SOX Section 404, and evaluates the impact of the stock ownership characteristics on the timeliness in remediation of their control weaknesses.

The test results show that the corporate ownership characteristics, as a part of governance mechanism, play an incrementally critical role to influence firms' decisions to promptly remediate their internal control problems and improve the reliability of financial information. In addition, it was also found that a corporate board independent of its CEO is effective in monitoring timely remediation of control problems. Sub‐sample analyses for the company‐level and account‐specific internal control weaknesses produce similar results in support of the effect of corporate stock ownership characteristics on the timely remediation of internal control weaknesses.

First, the paper adds to the literature by demonstrating the incremental effect of the stock ownership characteristics on a firm's timeliness in remediation of control weaknesses, even after controlling the effect of audit committee and board characteristics in the analysis. Second, the paper shows that even in the post‐SOX years with enhanced regulatory oversight in corporate affairs, the effect of corporate ownership attributes as a part of governance is incrementally observable in a situation that calls for prompt managerial action to ensure the reliability of financial information. Third, for the first time, the study makes a separate detailed analysis on the association between the stock ownership attributes and the remediation of company‐level and account‐specific control weaknesses. The results provide valuable insights into the ownership governance effect on the remediation of the two types of control weaknesses that have different rigor, auditability (more or less auditable), and effects (pervasive or non‐pervasive) on financial reporting quality. Fourth, the study further enhances one's understanding of several important governance factors that help achieve a sound financial reporting system and restore investors' confidence in the system.

Combining ownership and management might lead concentrated shareholders, such as families, to wealth expropriation. The lack of external monitors and disciplinary agents potentially permits them to pursue this path. Thus, monitoring activity is one of the major drawbacks in family controlled firms. The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated analysis of the governance roles of various block‐holders, institutional investors and corporate boards in firm performance in the context of publicly‐listed family‐controlled firms.

Using a multi‐industry data set of 208 firms listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (MSE), this study employs the generalized method of moments (GMM) to address the issue of endogeneity on panel data over the period 200‐2006.

The results show that family firms have better accounting performance than non‐family firms. So, active family involvement in management positions seems to reduce managerial opportunism. However, higher accounting performance does not translate into an increase in valuation levels, and thus might not accrue to minority shareholders. Additionally, the results also show an alignment incentive between a coalition of large shareholders (two families) and firm value.

This study provides empirical evidence consistent with a block‐holder coalition framework that sustains an incentive alignment effect of the coalition of large shareholders (two families) and the firm value. Additionally, the results also support evidence that board dominance is another channel through which families can extract private benefits.

This study contributes to understanding that the family firm performance depends on the efficiency of various governance mechanisms. Thus, it offers insights to policy makers to verify board appointment mechanisms used by family firms. Since external board members might be vetted and approved by the family or other dominant block‐holders, what is the extent of their independence from the dominant owners?

This article seeks to explain how to monitor the chronic obstructive disease patient and control any complications so that timely treatment can be applied.

Control charts and statistical process control (SPC) theory were used on chronic respiratory patient follow‐up and control. Controlling several variables simultaneously, using univariate charts, can be misleading, more so when there are correlated variables, so multivariate and univariate control charts were studied.

One‐sided control charts are preferable when the aim is to detect changes in the mean solely in one direction. Thus, one‐sided, univariate and multivariate charts were built, which identified previously undetected out‐of‐control events.

The study's main limitation is its retrospective nature. However, following‐up individual patients can highlight medical therapy effects.

The article concludes that control charts, in particular one‐sided ones, are a valuable tool for monitoring chronic respiratory patients, thus contributing to medical decision making.

The article highlights control chart application to chronic respiratory patient follow‐up, permitting a global view of patient evolution over time.