Overall, the results of this study emphasize, in
support of some prior research, the considerable
importance of formal MCS in the pursuit of
innovation that is successfully translated into long-
term performance. More specifically, the study
emphasizes the relevance of the style-of-use of
formal MCS, discriminating between the different
types of functional effects of an interactive use of
formal control systems and providing clear evi-
dence of the significance of these effects on both
innovation and performance. The identification of
significant functional effects of the interactive
control systems should encourage top managers to
ponder over the convenience of paying special
attention to the patterns of use of formal control
systems in their firms.