Contingencies Impact on Strategic Cost Management Usage in Lithuanian Companies

Assurance of competitive advantage is based on decision making process of managers by using SCM information. SCM is a set of techniques implemented by corporate management to design value-creating information related to costs drivers in value chain, for making strategic decisions and constantly aligning them with strategy in a highly uncertain business environment. In this research contingency theory is applied. Author examined three contingency factors on the use of the instruments of SCM. Study aims to explain the extent to which Lithuania's companies use SCM instruments regarding three following contingencies. SCM usage is more frequent in companies that experience a high level of competition intensity. SCM usage is higher in companies using strategy. SCM usage does not depend on company's size. Obstacles to use SCM are: unspecified financial accounting attitude to strategic decision making, a lack of knowledge, overheads in production process and resources of IT.