OK, so having skim read, now let's look at the diagrams. Find the first one. It's labelled:
'Fig. 1 Schematic representation of an organizational control system'

Now we know that the article is about 'control systems'. That phrase is included in the title. And the Abstract indicated that the article argues that "that budgeting and even an accounting system cannot be viewed as a control system per se; rather, they must be seen as a part of a carefully designed total system of organizational control." (third sentence of Abstract).

So, here we have a figure that is called a 'schematic representation of an organizational control system'. This should enable you to get a good grasp of what the figure is intended to indicate. Notice the inner circle ('core control system'), enclosed within another circle ('Organizational structure'), then another ('Organizational culture'), all contained within a square ('Organizational environment'). Having given some thought to what this might be saying, now find the part of the article which discussed the figure.

You can normally expect to find the relevant text nearby and usually before the figure. So quickly skim back until you find the words 'Figure 1' or 'Fig. 1'. It comes at the beginning of the section headed 'A Meta-Perspective of Control Systems'.

When you have found the text, read the paragraph, or paragraphs, that discuss the figure.

Then do the same for the other figures, each time stopping to think about what the figure might mean, based on what you already know about the article, before reading the relevant paragraph or paragraphs.

Once you have followed these steps, you should have a good understanding of the article. Of course, the level of your understanding will be affected by your previous knowledge of this subject. But as this develops, so will your ability to read academic articles quickly.

When you have read the article in this way, you may then want to read it fully. You should attempt this only when you have gained an understanding of the structure and the content from the method described.

In fact, you may want to just focus on certain sections, or subsections, where some information is presented that you find useful, or where there is a key element of the argument that you want to focus on.

I hope that you have found these notes useful. I'd very much like to hear your comments: mail to me at leonard.holmes@roehampton.ac.uk