R&D performance management focused on information basis of SMA techniques in SME

The importance of research and development (R&D) as a resource of knowledge that are of a key issue for many firms to achieve and sustain competitive advantage has been extensively debated in R&D management literature and also in practice theory approach to management accounting. There is a little research on practical implementation of the R&D performance management, R&D projects management. Strategic management accounting (SMA) has rather omitted the constant themes of managerial practise such as organisational resources, innovation or R&D management. Also the implementation of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and management of small and medium size enterprises (SME) has been neglected by researchers. The presented dissertation addresses the above mentioned limitations, therefore the main objective was identified as creating a framework of R&D performance management in SME, while dissertation is focused on information basis of SMA techniques particularly BSC. The main objective was divided in the following sub-objectives: identify the key problems of R&D management in the target population of SME in the Czech Republic, identify which SMA techniques are used in R&D performance management setting and compare the results with the findings of Donnelley (2009) in Bremser & Barsky (2004) and finally outline specific R&D metrics in a BSC framework. The research questions were based on the reference framework underlying the research. The two first sub-objectives were solved using data derived from questionnaire responses from the target population of SME in the Czech Republic. The key findings are: the vast majority of examined SME use the same metrics to measure R&D performance as found Donnelly (2000) in Bremser & Barsky (2004) such as number of approved projects ongoing, R&D spending as percentage of sales, current percentage of sales of new products, percentage of budget resources dedicated to R&D. Most of the examined enterprises use budgets and costing. The questionnaires also mapped problematic issues related to R&D performance management, while the results indicated as most problematic the following topics: inadequate organizational structure and insufficient competence settings, poor system of R&D project evaluation that neither contribute to reach the strategic nor financial goals nor to balance the R&D long term and short term objectives. The third sub-objective found support within the investigated firm that upheld the BSC implementation process suggested by Bremser & Barsky (2004). The process was slightly modified. Analysis of existing measures of R&D performance was added. One of the most intriguing findings is the practical implementation of SMA techniques that shall support greater impact of SMA in SME practice.