| Performance measurement research within the logistics field has historically focused upon either developing new performance measures, or chronically desirable characteristics measurement in general. A framework capable of aiding practitioner selection of measures in the dynamic environment present in the business world has not been present. This research develops a framework with the intended purpose of aiding measure selection in a changing environment. The framework is intended to help in selecting measures for a variety of firms, each with different measurement needs.; Support for the framework, which incorporates tradeoffs between the strategic and operational level of the firm, the need for measures that monitor versus those that diagnose performance, firm needing responsiveness rather than efficiency measures, and those firms organized functionally or by processes is found in the literature. Empirical support for the framework is presented through the use of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis on a set of data collected by Michigan State University.; Following framework development and empirical support, a survey of experienced logistics professionals was performed via the Internet and traditional paper-based mail. The data gathered showed that managers do perceive a difference in the usefulness of the measures to provide information along the dimensions of the framework. Following the evaluation of support for the perceived differences in usefulness, the logistics measures presented to the managers were placed within the framework to demonstrate the utility of the framework in positioning measures within a ‘measurement space’. With this information, managers then have the ability of evaluating their location in the measurement space in relation to the measures, and determining which measures might be most useful in providing the information needs the firm has. |
