Another class of characteristics concerns the aim/use of the PMS. Wisner and
Fawcett (1991) individuate two reasons for a PMS: to compare one's own
competitive position with that of the competitors and to check on the
accomplishment of one's own objectives. Neely (1998) underlines three different
roles for a PMS: to comply, to check, and to challenge. Furthermore, a PMS
serves different staff units and functions of a firm (general management,
quality management, production, new product development, technology,
distribution, customer service, etc. (Zairi, 1994)), so also specific uses obviously
exist.