The Development and Use of Balanced Scorecards by Foreign MNCs in Brazil : Avoiding the Main Pitfalls

Various studies on the use of the Balanced Scorecards approach as an innovative performance measurement concept have been carried out in developed countries with relatively stable environments. Nevertheless, research on the implementation and use of Balanced Scorecards in the highly dynamic and complex environments of developing countries, specifically from foreign MNCs to their Latin American subsidiaries, is a largely under-researched topic. This article examines the challenges of using Balanced Scorecards in foreign MNCs in Brazil, an economically important country that is characterized by very volatile external conditions. It does so based on case studies and by focusing on the most common barriers managers have to be aware of when using Balanced Scorecards in Brazil and how to overcome them. Implications for researchers and practicing managers are provided.