Performance Regimes Amidst Governance Complexity
Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Forthcoming
La Follette School Working Paper No. 2009-017
31 Pages Posted: 16 Nov 2009 Last revised: 18 Jun 2011
Date Written: November 16, 2009
Abstract
Much of the appeal of performance measurement is explained by its image as a simple and value-neutral way to monitor and improve government. But contemporary governance is characterized by complexity. Few public officials have the luxury of directly providing relatively simple services, the context in which performance regimes work best. Instead, they must work in the context of a disarticulated state, with policy problems that cross national boundaries and demand a multi-actor response. At the same time, traditional democratic values must be honored. This article examines the tensions between performance regimes and the complexity of modern governance, identifying implications and questions for research and practice.
Keywords: Performance management, data use, leadership, government
JEL Classification: D23, D73, D83
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation