Control Mechanisms Paper

Control can be defined as a device or mechanism used to regulate or guide the operation of a machine, apparatus, or system. Organizations use controls to regulate their business processes, which include production, distribution, finance, and so on. Controls help organizations to restrain and correct atypical behavior, and to reduce and prevent the spread of problems and errors (Microsoft Technet, 2006). Control is described as one of the four fundamental functions of management which includes organizing, planning, and coordinating where organization controls describe the primary mechanisms that managers use to direct attention, motivate, and encourage McDonald’s members to act in desired ways to meet business objectives. Control mechanisms is defined by Boland (1979) as seeking compliance with established plans, standards, quality criteria, and in conformance with organizational goals and values in which can be both enabling and constraining to the organization.   Control mechanisms are used to monitor progress and evaluate performance. Businesses, like McDonalds must have control mechanism in order to be more efficient in managing their business organization.
 
Controls are implemented through internal controls, technology, social structure and culture. Internal controls are broadly defined as the standards and procedures that a company establishes to protect its assets (Kelleran, 2006). McDonald grows, it would tend to hire more people to help conduct the business. However, without these policies and procedures in which companies implement, it would be impossible for the company to protect its assets and conflicts may arise between the people in the organization. Standards and procedures must be implemented in the company. Personal control is defined as the dyadic relationship between the direct supervisor and subordinate. While social structure is embedded controls with policies, procedures, rules, well-defined job descriptions, career ladders and incentive...