Examining Traditional, Better & Beyond Budgeting In a Dynamic Era : A Case Study of Länsförsäkringar

Abstract: Within the research field of management controlling systems, a contrasting debate has evolved about budgeting. The market environment has become more dynamic where traditional budgeting, better budgeting and beyond budgeting have received significant observation to establish what alternative that is mostly suitable for the current market situation. With rapid changes in the market environment, a traditional budget can quickly become obsolete. To help ground research in practice, we examine how the budgeting process is characterized from a short-term operational and long-term strategic perspective in modern organizations. Furthermore, we shed light on what functions the budget and/or its other management controlling system(s) fulfills. As researchers and practitioners claim that traditional budgets are among others static, inflexible and time-consuming, we investigate to what extent these corresponds to the views of the CFOs and Bank Directors interviewed for this study. To fulfill our purpose, we conducted a multiple-case study. The data is obtained through a qualitative strategy with elements of a quantitative. Our empirical data is primarily collected through interviews. We complemented with a questionnaire where the interviewees provide their standpoints on the criticism against traditional budgeting. The analysis is carried out with a qualitative approach. The result from this thesis illuminates that traditional, better and beyond budgeting is present in the studied organizations. Nevertheless, the study concludes that the positive aspects of a traditional budget outweighs its downsides despite criticism and market environmental factors.