IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jadmsc/v13y2023i2p31-d1046067.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Advancing a Performance Management Tool for Service Delivery in Local Government

Author

Listed:
  • Ilse Schoeman

    (Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa)

  • James Chakwizira

    (Urban and Regional Planning, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa)

Abstract

Various strategic plans compiled by the local levels of government seek to advance the need to integrate strategic planning frameworks and improve service delivery and related content through the application of performance management tools. From the perspective of municipalities, all policies and plans at all levels of government need to be articulated with empirical based plan-level formulation and in compliance with set performance assessment criteria. Using South Africa as a case study, the methodology of the paper included a theoretical analysis of available (but applicable) performance management tools and processes. The focus and outcome were the development of a simplified performance management tool that supports elementary prioritization of projects and the setting of standards to address the growing needs, service backlogs, and informality challenges, thereby enhancing sustainable planning and development applicable to developing countries. The study findings highlight, firstly, the prevalence of persistent service delivery gaps in local government. Secondly, local government performance management and strategic plan implementation is constrained by measurement data, standards, and information gaps. Thirdly, inadequate legislative frameworks and strategic instruments applicable to local government in developing countries adds another layer of performance management gap dimensions. Fourthly, there is misalignment between policies, legislative provisions, and local needs in terms of a set of applicable measurement tools and standards relevant in a developing country. Fifthly, an oversight role gap exists in terms of clearly defining the roles and scope of responsibilities concerning performance management. These above-mentioned shortcomings read together constitute a service delivery performance management tools gap that needs to be overcome if improved service delivery is to be achieved. In view of the above-stated considerations, a simplified performance management tool to enhance service delivery in local government had to be developed. The developed simplified performance management tool assumes that the application of performance management assessment processes is to be aligned throughout all spheres of government.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilse Schoeman & James Chakwizira, 2023. "Advancing a Performance Management Tool for Service Delivery in Local Government," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:31-:d:1046067
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/13/2/31/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/13/2/31/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ittner, Christopher D. & Larcker, David F., 2001. "Assessing empirical research in managerial accounting: a value-based management perspective," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(1-3), pages 349-410, December.
    2. Raymond Gradus & Martijn Schoute & Tjerk Budding, 2021. "Shifting modes of service delivery in Dutch local government," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 333-346, July.
    3. Tony Bovaird, 2014. "Efficiency in Third Sector Partnerships for Delivering Local Government Services: The role of economies of scale, scope and learning," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(8), pages 1067-1090, November.
    4. Mikael Ohrling & John Øvretveit & Mats Brommels, 2021. "Can management decentralisation resolve challenges faced by healthcare service delivery organisations? Findings for managers and researchers from a scoping review," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(1), pages 30-41, January.
    5. Eric S. Zeemering, 2018. "Sustainability management, strategy and reform in local government," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 136-153, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abernethy, Margaret A. & Vagnoni, Emidia, 2004. "Power, organization design and managerial behaviour," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 29(3-4), pages 207-225.
    2. Jana Fibírová, 2008. "The Competitive Advantage of Management Accounting [Konkurenční výhoda manažerského účetnictví]," Český finanční a účetní časopis, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2008(2), pages 78-90.
    3. Zbysław Dobrowolski & Grzegorz Drozdowski & Mirela Panait & Arkadiusz Babczuk, 2022. "Can the Economic Value Added Be Used as the Universal Financial Metric?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Sterling Huang & Gilles Hilary, 2018. "Zombie Board: Board Tenure and Firm Performance," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(4), pages 1285-1329, September.
    5. Francesco Di Maddaloni & Roya Derakhshan, 2019. "A Leap from Negative to Positive Bond. A Step towards Project Sustainability," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Wilson, Christopher & van der Velden, Maja, 2022. "Sustainable AI: An integrated model to guide public sector decision-making," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    7. Joan Luft & Michael Shields, 2002. "Zimmerman's contentious conjectures: describing the present and prescribing the future of empirical management accounting research," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(4), pages 795-803.
    8. Chen, Clara Xiaoling & Lill, Jeremy B. & Lucianetti, Lorenzo, 2023. "Performance measurement system diversity and product innovation: Evidence from longitudinal survey data," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    9. Diana COZMIUC & Ioan PETRISOR, 2015. "The Paradox Of Investment: Constraining Strategy," Proceedings of the INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 9(1), pages 81-96, November.
    10. Ülle Pärl, 2006. "Choice of measures for performance measurement models on the example of successful Estonian companies," University of Tartu - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, in: Entrepreneurship in Estonia: policies, practices, education and research, volume 28, chapter 12, pages 228-247, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu (Estonia).
    11. Leslie A. Robinson & Phillip C. Stocken, 2013. "Location of Decision Rights Within Multinational Firms," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(5), pages 1261-1297, December.
    12. Ganna Demydyuk, 2011. "Optimal Financial Key Performance Indicators: Evidence From The Airline Industry," Accounting & Taxation, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 3(2), pages 39-51.
    13. James T. Mackey & F. Johnny Deng, 2016. "Examining the Role of Management Control Systems in the Creation of an Innovative Culture," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 13(03), pages 1-27, June.
    14. Jan Bouwens & Laurence Van Lent, 2007. "Assessing the Performance of Business Unit Managers," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(4), pages 667-697, September.
    15. Camelia Mihaela Oane (Marinescu) & Klaudia Smol¹g & Emanuel Stefan Marinescu & Romuald Szopa, 2015. "Value-Based Management As The Innovating Paradigm Of Contemporary Governance – A Theoretical Approach," Polish Journal of Management Studies, Czestochowa Technical University, Department of Management, vol. 12(1), pages 106-120, DEcember.
    16. Frank Hartmann & Paolo Perego & Anna Young, 2013. "Carbon Accounting: Challenges for Research in Management Control and Performance Measurement," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 49(4), pages 539-563, December.
    17. Bouwens, J.F.M.G. & van Lent, L.A.G.M., 2003. "Effort and Selection Effects of Incentive Contracts," Discussion Paper 2003-130, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    18. Dimes, Ruth & de Villiers, Charl, 2024. "Hallmarks of Integrated Thinking," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(1).
    19. David Emsley, 2008. "Different interpretations of a “fixed” concept," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 21(3), pages 375-397, March.
    20. Ali Ahmad & Dababrata Chowdhury, 2022. "A Review of Effective Communication and ItsImpact on Interpersonal Relationships, Conflict Resolution,and Decision-Making," Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research, Pro Global Science Association, vol. 24(2), pages 18-23, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:31-:d:1046067. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.