Introduction
Throughout the Enron post-mortem, financial accounting irregularities and the audacious use of special purpose entities for off-balance sheet financing purposes have been the focus of attention. Seldom acknowledged is the fact that Enron had in place a comprehensive, state-of-the-art and award-winning management control and governance system, and that during Richard Kinder’s term as president from 1986 to 1996, Enron operated with a highly effective management control system.
This article focuses on the cultural environment surrounding Enron’s management control systems, and the influence of a powerful-risk taking culture on Enron’s controls. Robert Simons’ work on management control underscores the need to incorporate culture in understanding management control systems. Research conducted by leading organizational psychologist Edgar Schein also suggests that a strong link exists between executive leadership actions and the nature of an organization’s culture. Accordingly, in this article we highlight the critical role that leadership and culture play in the success and effectiveness of management control systems within organizations.
Enron provides a blueprint of how insufficient attention to changes in leadership and culture can undermine what, at least on the surface, appears to be a state-of-the-art management control system. While many companies may claim to have sophisticated management controls, the ultimate effectiveness of such controls is highly dependent on an organization’s culture and leadership. The perversion of this control infrastructure under the leadership of Jeffrey Skilling offers vital lessons about the operation of management control systems in large, complex organizations. Understanding these lessons is crucial in ensuring that Enron’s plight is not replicated.
IntroductionThroughout the Enron post-mortem, financial accounting irregularities and the audacious use of special purpose entities for off-balance sheet financing purposes have been the focus of attention. Seldom acknowledged is the fact that Enron had in place a comprehensive, state-of-the-art and award-winning management control and governance system, and that during Richard Kinder’s term as president from 1986 to 1996, Enron operated with a highly effective management control system.This article focuses on the cultural environment surrounding Enron’s management control systems, and the influence of a powerful-risk taking culture on Enron’s controls. Robert Simons’ work on management control underscores the need to incorporate culture in understanding management control systems. Research conducted by leading organizational psychologist Edgar Schein also suggests that a strong link exists between executive leadership actions and the nature of an organization’s culture. Accordingly, in this article we highlight the critical role that leadership and culture play in the success and effectiveness of management control systems within organizations.Enron provides a blueprint of how insufficient attention to changes in leadership and culture can undermine what, at least on the surface, appears to be a state-of-the-art management control system. While many companies may claim to have sophisticated management controls, the ultimate effectiveness of such controls is highly dependent on an organization’s culture and leadership. The perversion of this control infrastructure under the leadership of Jeffrey Skilling offers vital lessons about the operation of management control systems in large, complex organizations. Understanding these lessons is crucial in ensuring that Enron’s plight is not replicated.
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