A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Performance management in the prosocial market economy: a new paradigm for economic performance and sustainability




AuthorsPfister, Jan A.; Otley, David; Ahrens, Thomas; Dambrin, Claire; Darwin, Solomon; Granlund, Markus; Jack, Sarah L.; Lassila, Erkki M.; Millo, Yuval; Peda, Peeter; Sherman, Zachary; Wilson, David Sloan

PublisherEmerald

Publication year2024

JournalQualitative Research in Accounting and Management

Journal name in sourceQualitative Research in Accounting & Management

Volume21

Issue5

First page 397

Last page443

ISSN1176-6093

eISSN1758-7654

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/QRAM-02-2024-0031(external)

Web address http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/qram-02-2024-0031(external)

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/458308302(external)


Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this multi-voiced paper is to propose a prosocial paradigm for the field of performance management and management control systems. This new paradigm suggests cultivating prosocial behaviour and prosocial groups in organizations to simultaneously achieve the objectives of economic performance and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors share a common concern about the future of humanity and nature. They challenge the influential assumption of economic man from neoclassical economic theory and build on evolutionary science and the core design principles of prosocial groups to develop a prosocial paradigm.

Findings

Findings are based on the premise of the prosocial paradigm that self-interested behaviour may outperform prosocial behaviour within a group but that prosocial groups outperform groups dominated by self-interest. The authors explore various dimensions of performance management from the prosocial perspective in the private and public sectors.

Research limitations/implications

The authors call for theoretical, conceptual and empirical research that explores the prosocial paradigm. They invite any approach, including positivist, interpretive and critical research, as well as those using qualitative, quantitative and interventionist methods.

Practical implications

This paper offers implications from the prosocial paradigm for practitioners, particularly for executives and managers, policymakers and educators.

Originality/value

Adoption of the prosocial paradigm in research and practice shapes what the authors call the prosocial market economy. This is an aspired cultural evolution that functions with market competition yet systematically strengthens prosociality as a cultural norm in organizations, markets and society at large.


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Funding information in the publication
Funding is acknowledged from the Research Council of Finland for the four-year Project entitled “Performance management for a sustainable future: Exploring the feasibility of prosocial assumptions” led by JanA. Pfister (decision no. 349932).


Last updated on 2025-26-02 at 13:28