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  • September 1996 (Revised May 1997)
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Mobil USM&R (C): Lubricants Business Unit

By: Robert S. Kaplan
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:9
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Abstract

The general manager of a Lubricants Business Unit in Mobil's U.S. Marketing and Refining division launched a project to develop a Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for his unit. The purpose was to provide focus for all employees of the unit, enabling it to operate on an integrated basis. After the unit's scorecard had been developed, the general manager challenged the project team to extend the effort out to every employee in the business unit. The team started by constructing a cause-and-effect tree that linked high-level business unit objectives down to positions or tasks for every individual. The team then visited all locations, using the cause-and-effect tree to link the unit's strategy and scorecard to individuals' responsibilities. This case describes the construction of individual BSCs and their impact on employee behavior.

Keywords

Balanced Scorecard; Employees; Customization and Personalization; Performance Evaluation; Measurement and Metrics; Management Teams; Projects; Energy Industry; Mining Industry; United States

Citation

Kaplan, Robert S. "Mobil USM&R (C): Lubricants Business Unit." Harvard Business School Case 197-027, September 1996. (Revised May 1997.)
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About The Author

Robert S. Kaplan

Accounting and Management
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  • We Need Better Carbon Accounting. Here's How to Get There. By: Robert S. Kaplan and Karthik Ramanna
  • A Career Life-Cycle Perspective on Women's Health and Safety By: Robert S. Kaplan, Chizoba L. Chukwura, Gregory H. Gorman, Vivian S. Lee, Chester B. Good, Kathleen L. Martin, Gregory A. Ator and Michael D. Parkinson
  • Sustainable Strategies and Net-Zero Goals By: Mark L. Frigo, Robert S. Kaplan and Karthik Ramanna
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