Management Control Issues of International Ventures

William J. Bruns, Jr. is conducting (with Sharon M. McKinnon of Northeastern University) a field study of control issues that arise in international ventures between U.S. and European companies. Bruns' research is aimed at answering questions raised by earlier studies of the strategic, managerial, and organizational aspects of international ventures. In particular, Bruns hopes to distinguish the accounting and control mechanisms-objective setting, budgeting, and performance measurement-associated with international ventures that succeed from those employed by ventures that disappoint or fail. A series of cases to be developed on the management of international ventures will form the basis for a new elective course for the MBA program and a module for executive programs.