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The EVA Challenge: Implementing Value-Added Change in an ...

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<strong>The</strong> Need for a W<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g Strategy <strong>an</strong>d Org<strong>an</strong>ization 43<br />

reward<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dividuals; <strong>an</strong>d (3) the structure of systems to evaluate<br />

the perform<strong>an</strong>ce of both <strong>in</strong>dividuals <strong>an</strong>d bus<strong>in</strong>ess units.” <strong>The</strong> authors<br />

draw <strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>alogy between these components <strong>an</strong>d a threelegged<br />

stool. All three legs must be designed so that the stool is <strong>in</strong><br />

bal<strong>an</strong>ce. Modify<strong>in</strong>g <strong>an</strong>y of these elements without consideration of<br />

the other two will most likely contribute to the deterioration of the<br />

firm’s value.<br />

<strong>The</strong> BS&Z model starts with the premise that successful firms<br />

assign decision rights <strong>in</strong> ways that effectively l<strong>in</strong>k that authority<br />

with the <strong>in</strong>formation needed to exercise it. At the same time, the<br />

org<strong>an</strong>izational architecture must ensure that there are appropriate<br />

systems <strong>in</strong> place to evaluate perform<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>an</strong>d provide rewards to<br />

motivate the desired behavior of <strong>in</strong>dividuals.<br />

As we have observed before, the bus<strong>in</strong>ess environment <strong>in</strong><br />

which a firm operates shapes its strategy, structure, <strong>an</strong>d assignment<br />

of decision rights. And the firm’s strategy, <strong>in</strong> comb<strong>in</strong>ation<br />

with its org<strong>an</strong>izational architecture, motivates value-creat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

behavior by <strong>in</strong>dividuals. Figure 3.1 is a version of the BS&Z model.<br />

We have customized it for use by those firms which are committed<br />

to the <strong>in</strong>tegration of the <strong>EVA</strong> discipl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>to their org<strong>an</strong>izations.<br />

Draw<strong>in</strong>g further on the BS&Z book, we now discuss each of the<br />

three elements of org<strong>an</strong>izational architecture <strong>an</strong>d the considerable<br />

challenge faced by comp<strong>an</strong>ies that are attempt<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>in</strong>tegrate <strong>EVA</strong><br />

<strong>in</strong>to their firms while keep<strong>in</strong>g the three-legged stool <strong>in</strong> bal<strong>an</strong>ce.<br />

<strong>The</strong> firm must first resolve the issue of structural configuration.<br />

<strong>EVA</strong> centers are unique <strong>in</strong> that they require the broadest gr<strong>an</strong>t of<br />

decision rights relative to the p<strong>an</strong>oply of sub-unit decision assignments.<br />

Let us look at those various sub-units first.<br />

1. Cost centers call for the assignment of decision rights to<br />

produce a specified output with the greatest efficiency (i.e., the<br />

lowest cost). A critical determ<strong>in</strong><strong>an</strong>t of cost centers is gett<strong>in</strong>g the optimal<br />

mix of <strong>in</strong>puts (labor, materials, <strong>an</strong>d purchased services).

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