Performance management systems in startups: an analysis of stages of development and catalyst factors

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand the manifestation and adherence of performance management system (PMS) components in Brazilian startups, concurrently considering the different stages of development and catalyzing factors.

Design/methodology/approach

We gathered data through semi-structured interviews with founders and C-level executives from 19 startups. We used an inductive and exploratory method to spot patterns and differences through content analysis, aiming for a contextual understanding of startup PMS manifestation.

Findings

We analyzed the PMS of each startup, highlighting the consistency and differences among PMS components in each stage, considering the value proposition, goals, performance perspectives, monitoring indicators, action plans and performance evaluation processes. We also observe various catalyst factors that played an important role in accelerating the early development of the PMS in each stage.

Practical implications

This study provides a practical understanding of the meaning of each PMS component maturity that could be applied to startups in different stages and the catalyzing factors that played an important role in accelerating the initial development of PMS, providing practitioners with a holistic and situated context approach.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to provide empirical evidence on the manifestation and adherence of different components of the PMS in Brazilian startups, considering concurrently the organizational life cycle and existing catalyzing factors to the reality of these organizations.

Citation

Mancebo, V.O.C., Mucci, D.M., Santos, V.d., dos Santos, M. and Kiyan, G.Y. (2025), "Performance management systems in startups: an analysis of stages of development and catalyst factors", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 74 No. 1, pp. 358-386. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-10-2023-0573