The primary objective of this paper is to research and test how control forms function and
perform in a Lean organization. In the present quantitative case study, we provide statistical
support that Lean is a set of multiple control forms (output, behavioral, and social controls)
that complement each other to enhance performance, i.e., it is a control package. Therefore,
performance is increased if the average level of control forms is increased, and performance
is further increased if the control forms are balanced at the same level representing
a complementary effect between them. Moreover, we provide a refinement to the statistical
approach in testing systems fit models like ours by supplementing the Euclidian distance
with the city-block distance. In this way, we are able to show that the control forms in
Lean have a balanced complementary effect on performance, which is distinct from a solely
additive effect or no effect. The refined understanding of complementary effect between
control forms, the notion of balance, in a Lean organization can be utilized in understanding
and testing more general control package theory in other contexts. Our data are archival
data spanning multiple years in a dedicated Lean organization. This Scandinavian organization
has around 2000 employees and produces small electronic components that are sold
to business customers.