Exploring Business Intelligence in Management Control Systems: A Case Study of a Finnish SME Company

Abstract

This thesis explores Business Intelligence (BI) and its integration into Management Control Systems (MCS). The aim is to examine how BI is utilized for management control purposes in organizations and to investigate whether it has synergies with various MCS elements. Additionally, BI’s capabilities for enabling better control are examined and evaluated. To understand the complex synthesis of BI and MCS, a qualitative single-case study was conducted by interviewing the CFO of a Finnish SME Company. In the case study, Malmi & Brown's (2008) MCS as a package framework serves as a theoretical lens through which empirical data is analyzed and reflected.

The findings of this study show that BI provides enhanced planning and cybernetic controls, while also creating beneficial synergies with other control elements. Therefore, it can be concluded that BI enhances organizational control and consequently organizational performance. Additionally, BI is identified as a key component in strategy implementation and execution, making its relationship with MCS work in both directions.