Performance Measurement in the Public Sector

The course is aimed at deepening students¿ knowledge and understanding of performance management theories and tools in the public sector, which includes all the devices and systems that public managers use to ensure that the decisions and behaviours of their employees are consistent with the organization¿s objectives and strategy. Another aim is to develop the students¿ ability to apply performance management concepts and tools in discussions, and to critically reflect upon different performance management solutions in public sector organisations.

The following topics related to performance measurement in the public sector will be covered:

• Theories of performance, such as institutional and legitimacy theory, resource dependency, resource-based theory, and complexity theory
• Beneficial and negative effects of performance management in the public sector
• Performance indicators, balance scorecard and benchmarking
• Cost accounting, cost allocation considerations and methods
• Traditional and innovative types of budgeting
• Case studies related to public sector organisations (central, regional and local governments) and in specific policy areas (primary and high education, health care, utilities, etc.).