Abstract

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a performance measurement and strategic management system which appears
suitable for use by all types and sizes of business. The BSC’s greatest strength for most businesses comes from
its innate ability to integrate financial and non-financial measures together by measuring both strategic and
business performance across four interrelated perspectives. Many studies have shown that the BSC can be
successfully implemented within large-scale companies and organizations. However, there is limited empirical
evidence regarding the use of the BSC within small companies. This study adds to the existing literature by
reporting the results of a comparative investigation of BSC awareness and use within small companies located in
the UK and Cyprus. In addition, the study examines the reasons for non-adoption by small companies and
whether these companies use performances measures that are similar to those typically contained within the BSC
model. The research data was collected from self-completed questionnaires that were distributed to 500
companies in the UK and Cyprus. The findings of the survey suggest that the majority of small companies,
especially in the UK, are unaware of the BSC, and consequently levels of BSC usage are extremely low. Certain
respondents believed that BSC is an unsuitable tool for small companies and that its implementation is beyond
the resources available to such entities. However, the findings also suggest that even though very few small
companies actually use the BSC, many such companies appear to use performances measures and indicators
similar to those typically included within a BSC model.

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