The performance measurement revolution: why now and what next?

Asks why business performance measurement has become so topical, so recently. Argues that there are seven main reasons: the changing nature of work; increasing competition; specific improvement initiatives; national and international quality awards; changing organisational roles; changing external demands; and the power of information technology. Evidence to support this assertion is drawn from the academic and practitioner literatures, interviews and discussions with people specialising in the field and a broad review of the current state‐of‐the‐art in business performance measurement. Presents a framework onto which current research in business performance measurement can be mapped and identifies areas which require further work.