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Formal Decisions, Informed Futures: A Study of How Decision-Making Processes and Controls Shape Organizational Learning in Knowledge-Intensive Firms

Hedén, Thelma LU and Svensson, Oscar LU (2025) BUSN79 20251
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Title: Formal Decisions, Informed Futures: A Study of How Decision-Making Processes and Controls Shape Organizational Learning in Knowledge-Intensive Firms

Hand in date: 27th May 2025

Seminar date: 4th June 2025

Course: BUSN79 Degree Project in Accounting and Finance

Authors: Thelma Hedén & Oscar Svensson

Advisor: Anders Anell

Examiner: Liesel Klemcke

Five Keywords: Decision-Making, Organisational Learning, Management Control Systems, Formalization, Knowledge-Intensive Firms

Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to study how organizations compile and utilize information from earlier decisions and projects through MCS to drive organizational learning and strengthen future decision-making.

Methodology: The... (More)
Title: Formal Decisions, Informed Futures: A Study of How Decision-Making Processes and Controls Shape Organizational Learning in Knowledge-Intensive Firms

Hand in date: 27th May 2025

Seminar date: 4th June 2025

Course: BUSN79 Degree Project in Accounting and Finance

Authors: Thelma Hedén & Oscar Svensson

Advisor: Anders Anell

Examiner: Liesel Klemcke

Five Keywords: Decision-Making, Organisational Learning, Management Control Systems, Formalization, Knowledge-Intensive Firms

Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to study how organizations compile and utilize information from earlier decisions and projects through MCS to drive organizational learning and strengthen future decision-making.

Methodology: The methodology is qualitative and explorative to its approach, constituted of a comparative interview study. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with managers and consultants involved in the decision-making process within consultancies or production firms, which were then analyzed comparatively.

Theoretical perspectives: The theoretical framework consists of a comprehensive literature review of three main areas; decision-making, organizational learning and management control, where the use of management control is assessed based on their direct and indirect nature.

Empirical foundation: The empirical findings collected through semi-structured interviews are presented to explain the decision-making process and organizational learning in these knowledge-intensive firms. To further present and analyze the degree of formalization and use of controls in these processes.

Conclusions: Knowledge-intensive organizations present different degrees of formalization in their decision-making processes by the usage of direct control and indirect control, in order to drive organizational learning and strengthen future decision-making. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Hedén, Thelma LU and Svensson, Oscar LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN79 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Decision-Making, Organisational Learning, Management Control Systems, Formalization, Knowledge-Intensive Firms
language
English
id
9207821
date added to LUP
2025-07-02 11:33:37
date last changed
2025-07-02 11:33:37
@misc{9207821,
  abstract     = {{Title: Formal Decisions, Informed Futures: A Study of How Decision-Making Processes and Controls Shape Organizational Learning in Knowledge-Intensive Firms 

Hand in date: 27th May 2025

Seminar date: 4th June 2025

Course: BUSN79 Degree Project in Accounting and Finance

Authors: Thelma Hedén & Oscar Svensson 

Advisor: Anders Anell

Examiner: Liesel Klemcke

Five Keywords: Decision-Making, Organisational Learning, Management Control Systems, Formalization, Knowledge-Intensive Firms

Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to study how organizations compile and utilize information from earlier decisions and projects through MCS to drive organizational learning and strengthen future decision-making.

Methodology: The methodology is qualitative and explorative to its approach, constituted of a comparative interview study. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with managers and consultants involved in the decision-making process within consultancies or production firms, which were then analyzed comparatively.

Theoretical perspectives: The theoretical framework consists of a comprehensive literature review of three main areas; decision-making, organizational learning and management control, where the use of management control is assessed based on their direct and indirect nature. 

Empirical foundation: The empirical findings collected through semi-structured interviews are presented to explain the decision-making process and organizational learning in these knowledge-intensive firms. To further present and analyze the degree of formalization and use of controls in these processes. 

Conclusions: Knowledge-intensive organizations present different degrees of formalization in their decision-making processes by the usage of direct control and indirect control, in order to drive organizational learning and strengthen future decision-making.}},
  author       = {{Hedén, Thelma and Svensson, Oscar}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Formal Decisions, Informed Futures: A Study of How Decision-Making Processes and Controls Shape Organizational Learning in Knowledge-Intensive Firms}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}