Using a balanced scorecard to improve the management of natural resources: experiences from Baden-Wurttemberg

The balanced scorecard approach is a strategic performance management tool to assist managers’ decisions by guiding the selection of performance measures that reflect desired strategic goals. While typically implemented in the private sector, it has potential application to the public sector, particularly to the management of natural resources. This article investigated the experiences of a public-sector organization, the State Forest Service of Baden Württemberg, in implementing a balanced scorecard. Data were collected from interviews with senior managers and a questionnaire survey of middle managers from the organization. Overall, the results show the underdevelopment of less traditional performance measures, the need for organizational commitment to collection of such measures, and support for an iterative process to develop meaningful measures. The results also support the relationships hypothesized in the conceptual model regarding desired outcomes and the capacity of existing information systems, and the receptivity of managers to change.