Transparency and agility in a manufacturing SME: a control driven evolution

Research methodology Primary data was collected by fourteen semi-structured interviews (Dec 2023–April 2024) with founder, production, quality control (QC) and cluster peers. Secondary data was collected via organizational documents, including production manuals, company vision and mission, ERP related documents. All figures are anonymized, and the founder requested to conceal the financial and other related information, such as the company and participant names. Informed consent was taken from the participants of the study, and they were given the right to withdraw at any point of time without providing any reason for withdrawal. Case overview/synopsis Falcon Industries is a manufacturing SME in Sialkot, Pakistan, founded in 2018 by Faraz Iqbal. From inception, he embedded simple yet rigorous Management Accounting and Control Systems (MACS) (e.g., barcode inventory, independent quality control (QC) and weekly variance reviews) into a start-up workshop. By April 2024, Falcon employed 210 staff, export 60% of its output and reduced defects below 2% approximately. Now, growth presented three forks: (1) build a micro-tannery to guarantee traceable hides, (2) launch a direct-to-consumer platform and (3) formalize governance beyond the founder. Students must decide which path Falcon should pursue and how its MACS architecture will enable or constrain the choice. Complexity academic level This case is suitable for courses such as, management accounting and controls; business operations in emerging economies, small business strategies, SMEs management, for upper level students in relevant bachelor or master programs (MBA, BBA etc).