Wim A. Van der Stede

Dean

Contact:

w.vanderstede@queensu.ca

Academic:

ORCID: 0000-0003-3005-2410
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Overview

Wim A. Van der Stede is Dean of Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. He previously spent two decades at the London School of Economics (2006–2026), where he served as the CIMA Professor of Accounting and Financial Management, Head of the Department of Accounting, and Dean of Extended Education.

An expert in performance measurement, evaluation, and incentives, he has published, taught, and spoken widely on these subjects globally. He is the author of the leading textbook Management Control Systems and a multi-time recipient of the American Accounting Association's Notable Contribution to Management Accounting Literature and of the Outstanding International Educator awards, among more than 20 other awards for research, teaching, and service.

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Appointment Type

Tenure/Tenure-Track

Academic Area

Accounting

Interest Topics

Accounting
Behaviour & Psychology
Culture & People
Economics
Governance
Management
Risk
Strategy & Innovation

Highlights

Merchant, K. A., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2023). Management Control Systems (5th ed.). Pearson

A leading text in organizational control built around the authors’ “object-of-control” framework, covering a variety of performance measures and controls, supported by 75 case studies, the vast majority researched and written by the authors. The book has been translated in Italian and Indonesian, and received a mention in Frey, B. S., & Schaltegger, C. A. (Eds.), 21st century economics: Economic ideas you should read and remember (2019), Springer Nature. Read more

Gibbs, M., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2025), The information organization: On changes in information technology and organizational design. Foundations and Trends in Accounting, 19(2), 116–223.

In this monograph, we adopt the perspective of organizations as processors of knowledge that collect, create, combine and/or analyze data through information technology (IT) to locate and coordinate decisions, improve performance evaluations, and enhance interest alignment. We distinguish between information communication and information processing technologies. Pivotal to our framework is whether IT improves coordination or improves incentives. Read more

Faculty Details

Profile

Full Bio

Wim A. Van der Stede is Dean of Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Just prior, Wim was the CIMA Professor of Accounting and Financial Management (2006-26) at the London School of Economics, where he also served as Head of the Department of Accounting for 10 years (2012-22), Dean of Extended Education (2022-25), and on LSE's Council (2021-26). Wim also has held visiting positions at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, ESSEC in Paris, and Erasmus University Rotterdam's School of Economics.

Wim served as a Director of the American Accounting Association (2017-20) and President of its Management Accounting Section (2010-11). He also chaired the Publications Committee (2012-13) and the Doctoral Colloquium (2019-21) of the European Accounting Association. Wim was Editor-in-Chief of Management Accounting Research for 10 years (2015-24), where he continues as a Consulting Editor.

Wim's research primarily focuses on the study and teaching of performance measurement, evaluation, and incentives. He has published in several academic and practitioner journals in these areas and is an author of the leading textbook, Management Control Systems (Pearson, 5th ed.).

Wim has won several awards for his research, as well as for his teaching and service, including the AAA Notable Contribution to Management Accounting Literature Award (three times), the AAA Outstanding International Educator Award, and an MBA Golden Apple award. Wim regularly appears at global academic and practitioner conferences as a speaker.

Academic Degrees

PhD | Economics (1997)
MA | Management (1991)
BA | Economics (1990)
Ghent University, Belgium

Academic Experience

Smith School of Business | Queen's University
Dean (2026 – Present)
Professor (2026 – Present)

London School of Economics | UK
CIMA Professor of Accounting & Financial Management (2008-2026)
Professor (2006-2026)
Dean, Extended Education (2022-2025)
Head, Department of Accounting (2012-2021)

University of Southern California | USA
Assistant Professor (1997-2006)

Publications

Articles & Book Chapters (selected)

Gibbs, M., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2025), The information organization: On changes in information technology and organizational design. Foundations and Trends in Accounting, 19(2), 116–223.

Eyring, H., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2024), Breaking new ground: Settings where performance measurement is important but less studied. In: Lillis, A. M., & Grafton, J. (Eds.). Research handbook on performance measurement for management control. Edward Elgar Publishing, Chapter 2, 12-28.

Avagyan, V., Camacho, N., Van der Stede, W. A., & Stremersch, S. (2022). Financial projections in innovation selection: The role of scenario presentation, expertise, and risk. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 39(3), 907–926.

Van der Stede, W. A., Wu, A., & Wu, S. (2020). An empirical analysis of employee responses to bonuses and penalties. The Accounting Review, 95(6), 395–412.

Caglio, A., Dossi, A., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2018). CFO role and CFO compensation: An empirical analysis of their implications. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 37(4), 265–281.

Van der Stede, W. A. (2018). Multitasking academics. Issues in Accounting Education, 33(3), 85–94.

Indjejikian, R. J., Matějka, M., Merchant, K. A., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2014). Earnings targets and annual bonus incentives. The Accounting Review, 89(4), 1227–1258.

Gong, J. J., Van der Stede, W. A., & Young, S. M. (2011). Real options in the motion picture industry: Evidence from film marketing and sequels. Contemporary Accounting Research, 28(5), 1438–1466.

Matějka, M., Merchant, K. A., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2009). Employment horizon and the choice of performance measures: Empirical evidence from annual bonus plans of loss-making entities. Management Science, 55(6), 890–905.

Levenson, A. R., Van der Stede, W. A., & Cohen, S. G. (2006). Measuring the relationship between managerial competencies and performance. Journal of Management, 32(3), 360–380.

Van der Stede, W. A., Young, S. M., & Chen, C. X. (2005). Assessing the quality of evidence in empirical management accounting research: The case of survey studies. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 30(7–8), 655–684.

Gibbs, M., Merchant, K. A., Van der Stede, W. A., & Vargus, M. E. (2004). Determinants and effects of subjectivity in incentives. The Accounting Review, 79(2), 409–436.

Hansen, S. C., Otley, D. T., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2003). Practice developments in budgeting: An overview and research perspective. Journal of Management Accounting Research, 15(1), 95–116.

Merchant, K. A., Van der Stede, W. A., & Zheng, L. (2003). Disciplinary constraints on the advancement of knowledge: the case of organizational incentive systems. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 28(2–3), 251–286.

Van der Stede, W. A. (2000). The relationship between two consequences of budgetary controls: budgetary slack creation and managerial short-term orientation. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 25(6), 609–622.

Books

Merchant, K. A., & Van der Stede, W. A. (2023). Management Control Systems (5^th ed.). Pearson.

Blogs & Online-only (selected)

Engaging students to think critically about AI - in the classroom, in the discipline, and in their futures, GenAI and Education Exchange (April 2026)

Scenarios in innovation pitches: boon or bane, LSE Business Review (Jan. 2022)

Sticks and carrots: the effectiveness of penalties versus bonuses, LSE Business Review (Sept. 2021) – republished by the World Economic Forum.

Reducing budget slack may lead managers to focus on the short term, LSE Business Review (June 2016)

Evidence suggests that firms set targets to avoid small losses, LSE Business Review (Feb. 2016)

With manager performance metrics, the tricky question is how to reward longterm thinking, LSE Business Review (Nov. 2015)

Research

Expertise

Dr. Van der Stede researches in the area of financial management and management control and specifically focuses on strategy implementation through effective organizational design and performance measurement and incentive systems to ensure employee alignment, motivation, and accountability.

Principal research interests pertain to the study of (1) performance targets and the budgeting processes used to set them; (2) performance measurement and evaluation; and (3) incentive systems that relate performance evaluations to rewards (or penalties).

Presentations

University Seminars (selected)

(alphabetically)

Bocconi (2023, 2012, 2005)
City University of Hong Kong (2026)
Claremont Drucker-Ito School of Management (2006)
Columbia Business School (2025)
Durham University Business School (2025)
Erasmus University Rotterdam (2012, 2007, 2003)
ESSEC Paris (2016, 1999, 1997)
Free University Amsterdam (2018, 2010)
Harvard Business School (2025, 2003)
HEC Lausanne (2025, 2017)
HEC Paris (2013, 2003)
HKUST (2002)
Indiana University (1997)
KU Leuven (2008)
Manchester Business School (2009, 2005)
National Taiwan University (2024)
National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School (2025)
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Business School, Singapore (2027)
Peking University (2021, 2018, 2001)
Rice University (2003)
Tel Aviv University (2025, 2018)
Tilburg University (2017, 2003, 1997)
University of Amsterdam (2018)
University of Arizona (2004)
University of California-Irvine (1999)
University of Colorado-Boulder (2005)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2022, 2000, 1999)
University of Melbourne (2023)
University of Michigan (2000, 1997)
University of Texas-Austin (2001)
University of Texas-Dallas (2005)
University of Toronto (2013)
University of Wisconsin (2002)
UVA Darden School of Business (2017, 2011)
Warwick Business School (2019, 2015)
Xiamen University (2014)

Conference Presentations & Discussions (selected)

(alphabetically)

American Accounting Association (AAA) Annual Meeting
AAA Accounting Behavior and Organizations (ABO) Midyear Meeting
AAA Management Accounting Section (MAS) Midyear Meeting
Canadian Academic Accounting Association (CAAA) Annual Meeting
Contemporary Accounting Research (CAR) Conference
European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management (EIASM) New Directions in Management Accounting Conference
Global Management Accounting Research Symposium (GMARS)
Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual Meeting
ESSEC (Paris), “Accounting Research in the Age of AI” conference

Awards

Awards & Honours (selected)

Honorary Member of the Grudis Accounting Research Network, Portugal (2026)

American Accounting Association (AAA) Notable Contribution to Management Accounting Literature (2023, 2017, 2007)

American Accounting Association (AAA) Outstanding International Accounting Educator (2019)

International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Article of Merit (2009, 2008)

Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Jim Bulloch Award for Innovations in Management Accounting Education (2009)

London School of Economics (LSE) Excellence in Education (2017, 2016)

University of Southern California (USC) Golden Apple (2005)

Visiting Appointments

Yuji Ijiri Distinguished Lecturer, Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business (Spring 2023)

Special Term Visiting Professor, Peking University, Guanghua School of Management (2017-21)

Visiting Professor, Erasmus School of Economics, The Netherlands (2012-21)

Short-term Visiting Professor, ESSEC Paris (Spring 1997)

Service

University Service (selected)

Queen's University | Canada

Smith Engineering Dean Search Committee (2026-27)
Queen’s Brand Strategy Steering Committee (2026)

London School of Economics | UK

LSE Campaign Ambassador (2018-26)
LSE Council, incl. Finance & Estates Committee (2021-26)
External Funding Ethical Review Board (2025-26)
Executive Education Board (2025-26)
100x Impact Accelerator Supervisory Board (2023-26)
International Strategy Board (2023-25)
LSE President Search (2023)
Research Excellence Framework (2015-22; Deputy Chair, 2016-22)
Covid-19 Scenario Planning (2020-22)
Capital Development Building Project Boards, including:
- Marshall Building (2016-19)
- Firoz Lalji Global Hub (2022-25)
Pay and Reward Review (Chair, 2014-15)

University of Southern California | USA

USC LSOA Dean Search (2001)
USC LSOA Accounting Circle Board (2002-03)
USC LSOA Curriculum Assessment Committee (1999-2002)
USC LSOA Undergraduate Curriculum Rethink (1998)

Other Institutions

External Referee, Tenure and Promotions
PhD Committees (13 students to date; internal and external)
Research Foundation Flanders, Grants Committee (2015-18)
University of London Collegiate Council (2022-25)
Bocconi University Appointments and Promotions (2012-20)
Ghent University, Faculty of Economics Advisory Council (2023 - Present)
Monash University, International Consortium for Values-based Governance (ICVG) Advisory Board (2020 - Present)
Referee, Russell Sage Foundation (2026)
External Assessor:
- Dutch National Limperg Institute Doctoral Program (2019, 2011)
- Ghent University, Faculty of Economics (2015)
- Oxford Said Business School, External Examiner, EMBA (2006-10)

Governance Roles (selected)

LSE Council, London School of Economics (2021-26)
RES Finance Committee, Royal Economic Society (2023 - Present)
AAA Board of Directors, American Accounting Association (2017-20)

Editorial Board Roles (recent, selected)

Accounting, Organizations & Society (2010 - Present)
Behavioral Research in Accounting (2002-23)
Contemporary Accounting Research (2008-22) including Editor (2011-14), Ad-Hoc Editor (2014-22)
European Accounting Review (2012-23)
Journal of International Accounting Research (2007-10, 2017 - Present)
Management Accounting Research (2007 - Present) including Editor-in-Chief (2015-24); Consulting Editor (2025 - Present)
The Accounting Review (2011-23)

Service to the Profession (selected)

Academic Associations

Royal Economic Society (RES) Finance Committee (2023 - Present)
EAA Publications Committee (2008-13, Chair 2012-13)
EAA Doctoral Colloquium (Co-chair 2019-21), EAA DC Faculty in 8 years between 2009 and 2021
American Accounting Association (AAA) Board (2017-20)
AAA Council (2009-12)
AAA Finance Committee (2009-12)
AAA Governance Committee (2015-17)
AAA Council Committee on Awards (2017-18)
AAA Lifetime Service Award Committee (2020-21)
AAA Global Engagement Committee (Chair 2017-20)
AAA J Michael & Mary Anne Cook Prize Nominations Committee (2015, 2016)
AAA President’s Global Engagement Task Force (2013-14)
AAA President’s Seeds of Innovation Task Force (2012-13)
AAA Grant Thornton Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships (2011-12)
AAA Management Accounting Section (MAS) President, incl. Elect/Past (2009-12)
AAA MAS Future of Management Accounting Education Committee (2022-23)
AAA MAS Midyear Meeting Co-Director (2007, 2008)
AAA MAS Nominations Committee (2025; Chair 2011)
AAA MAS Impact on Practice Award Committee (Chair 2015-18)
AAA MAS Lifetime Contribution Award Committee (2011-13, Chair 2013)
AAA MAS Dissertation Award Committee (2009)
AAA MAS Annual Meeting Liaison (2000, 2001)

Other Organizations & Professional Bodies

Houghton Street Ventures Advisor (2021-26)
AICPA-CIMA Thought Leadership Committee (2017 - Present)
CIMA Executive Chairman’s Advisory Board (2017 - Present)
CIMA R&D Panel (Chair 2022-26; Vice-Chair 2015-21)
2U/edX University Partner Advisory Council (2023-24)
UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Chair’s Forum (2020-26)