Trends in budget execution in organizations: a literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18159606Keywords:
budget execution, organizational efficiency, zero-based budgetingAbstract
This study conducts a systematic review of 42 academic articles published between 2008 and 2025, aimed at analyzing the conceptual and methodological transformations of budget execution in organizations. The objective is to examine contemporary trends that redefine the role of the budget, shifting it from a rigid instrument of financial control to a strategic tool focused on efficiency, flexibility, and value creation. The results identify seven predominant themes: traditional budgeting, budget flexibility, reduction of budget slack, digitization of budget processes, the Beyond Budgeting approach, zero-based budgeting (ZBB), and activity-based budgeting (ABB). These trends show a gradual transition from static models to more dynamic and adaptive management systems, aligned with highly changeable organizational environments. The analysis highlights that ZBB and Beyond Budgeting are consolidating their position as alternative approaches that favor expenditure rationalization, operational autonomy, and decision-making based on relevant and timely information. Likewise, digitization and ABB contribute significantly to strengthening traceability, transparency, and resource control. Taken together, the findings reveal a growing link between budget execution and institutional strategy, as well as the need to integrate technological tools to optimize planning and control processes. It is concluded that contemporary budget execution should be understood as a comprehensive strategic management process that drives sustainability, innovation, and organizational competitiveness.
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