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The Management Performance of the U.S. States

Author

Listed:
  • King, David

    (Harvard U)

  • Zeckhauser, Richard

    (Harvard U)

  • Kim, Mark

    (Harvard U)

Abstract

The Maxwell School's Government Performance Project rated the management successes of the 50 states in several areas, such as capital management, human resources and information technology in 1998 and 2000. Variability among the states was significant. Viewing the Maxwell School data as something to be explained, we focus on political institutions, social characteristics and the economic environments in the states. We review hypotheses that predict management performance, and we test them empirically. We find that states high in social capital, states with professional legislatures, and states with vibrant entrepreneurial economies are more likely to be better managed. A state’s tax burden and the governor’s powers seem unrelated to the Maxwell School scores. States with a high density of “good government” groups tend to be poor performers, presumably because citizens join such groups hoping to improve their unsatisfactory state governments. Please note: The larger study that this paper discusses will be published in a book by The Brookings Institution in early 2005.

Suggested Citation

  • King, David & Zeckhauser, Richard & Kim, Mark, 2004. "The Management Performance of the U.S. States," Working Paper Series rwp04-028, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp04-028
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    File URL: https://research.hks.harvard.edu/publications/getFile.aspx?Id=128
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gray, Virginia, 1973. "Innovation in the States: A Diffusion Study," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 67(4), pages 1174-1185, December.
    2. Walker, Jack L., 1969. "The Diffusion of Innovations among the American States," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 63(3), pages 880-899, September.
    3. Norris, Pippa, 2001. "Making Democracies Work: Social Capital and Civic Engagement in 47 Societies," Working Paper Series rwp01-036, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    4. Fiorina, Morris P., 1994. "Divided Government in the American States: A Byproduct of Legislative Professionalism?," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 88(2), pages 304-316, June.
    5. Walker, Jack L., 1969. "The Diffusion of Innovations among the American States," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 63(3), pages 880-899, September.
    6. Tom M. Rice & Alexander F. Sumberg, 0. "Civic Culture and Government Performance in the American States," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 27(1), pages 99-114.
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    Cited by:

    1. Olivia C. Estrella L?ez, 2003. "Social Capital and Government in the Production of Public Goods," UFAE and IAE Working Papers 580.03, Unitat de Fonaments de l'Anàlisi Econòmica (UAB) and Institut d'Anàlisi Econòmica (CSIC).

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