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This thesis investigates the balance between formal and informal management control systems (MCS) used for the governance of coopetitive partnerships in the life-sciences industry. To this aim, four coopetitive projects undertaken by firms in the life-sciences industry were selected to serve as case study. For each project, data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with managers/executives responsible for designing and/or managing the various MCS of the project. The results of all interviews were cross-analyzed in order to formulate an answer to the proposed research question. Our results show that formal and informal management control systems should be seen as complements in coopetitive partnerships. Additionally, our findings show that the balance between formal and informal control systems fluctuates according to the phase the project is in. The pre-project phase is governed by a mix of formal and informal management controls, which both play a significant role. The project execution phase and post-project phase, however, are governed mostly by formal control systems.

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In the first place, our master’s thesis examines the extent to which value-based healthcare, with its focus on patients’ needs and its respect for a proper quality-cost trade-off, is adopted within Flemish hospitals. Second, the influence of adopting value-based healthcare on the existing management control systems for doctors and nurses is investigated. This effect is examined in both university and in general hospitals in Flanders. Third, the motivation of doctors and nurses to work in a hospital is determined. At the same time, the influence of adopting value-based healthcare on the sources of motivation of medical staff is explored. Through qualitative research, namely case studies, these potential effects are determined. Hence, based on semi-structured questionnaires and recorded interviews results are found. Although a lot of initiatives have been taken to improve a hospital’s quality-cost trade-off, the interviews showed that these initiatives are not always implemented as a result of adopting value-based healthcare. Therefore, room for adopting value-based healthcare in Flemish hospital exists. Furthermore, the initiatives taken might sometimes negatively affect the motivation of doctors and nurses, especially for nurses.

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Surviving in today’s highly competitive market is difficult and requires companies to look for a competitive edge. In this way, companies can stand out from their competitors and attract customers. Prior research clearly indicated that an important role is withheld for both management control and creativity in establishing and maintaining this competitive advantage. In this perspective, it is in any company’s interest to ensure that these elements are optimally organized. The literature, however, is inconclusive as to whether these elements impair or enhance one another. Given this inconsistency, companies should attempt to strike a balance between creativity and control given their own needs. The main aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the creativity-control conflict and to find support in favor of the impairment or the enhancement proposition. In their quest for an answer, the authors conducted case studies in different Belgian fashion companies. Their findings suggest that within this particular setting excessive control is likely to hinder creativity and could pose a threat to the company’s survival in the long run, whereas confined levels of control can aid a company in developing creative, yet sellable products.

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This survey study investigates the intention to use internet banking services by senior retail customers in Belgium. Using a sample of more than 100 senior internet users the paper attempts to shed light on why customers adopt or reject of internet banking. The research model was built using Technology Acceptance Model constructs and incorporating three additional variables, personal innovativeness, internet experience, and preference for personal contact. Hypotheses were constructed and then tested using correlation and multiple regression statistics. Results suggest that seniors’ intention to use technological channels for managing their finances is determined by all the proposed variables and that TAM constructs had the most influential effect on behavioral intention to use internet banking. The research has academic and managerial implications. Results can help financial services providers to understand senior customers better and to formulate targeted strategies to satisfy their preferences. For the academic perspective it sets the basis for future research in this area.