This study investigates the relationship among four design parameters of planning systems and five different firm and environmental characteristics. The impact of this multivariate relationship on organizational effectiveness is then examined using a sample of 115 large manufacturing firms. The findings show general support for the proposition that, in order to be effective, a strategic planning system should be designed in such a way that the specific situational setting of the firm is reflected in the design. The analysis also indicates that firms adopt a more flexible planning system ‐ captured here by two key variables, planning horizon, and frequency of plan reviews ‐ as the level of environmental complexity increases. Implications for future research are discussed.
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Sal Kukalis (1991) studied this question.