Performance measurement uncertainty on the Grand Canal

Judy Johnston

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 2005, vol. 54, issue 7, 595-612

Abstract: Purpose - The article aims to present an overview of how the conflicts related to economic and social agency within particular public sector performance measurement arrangements can work for and against the application of balanced scorecard style systems. It highlights some of the dilemmas that are caused when performance measurement and productivity enhancement are required within broad areas of public service, especially where market behaviour is relevant. Design/methodology/approach - Using a case study approach based on literature review and field research, this article focuses on the gondoliers (gondolieri) of Venice, Italy. The analytical basis is historical record, Aristotelian ideas of ethical responsibility and contemporary literature on performance measurement and productivity. Findings - The research, so far, has found that performance is not necessarily determined by formal standards and technical measurements. It can be, but performance is also situational and opportunistic and mediated by more subjective and basic concerns. The findings confirm that performance management systems are largely socially rather than technically constructed and operated. As such they will continue to pose dilemmas for public sector managers that will be difficult to resolve. Originality/value - This is an unusual case study as thegondolierido not fit neatly into the usual paradigm of public service. Yet they have existed in a similar form for nearly 1,000 years and have operated within performance measurement systems during that time. Thus, it is possible to track the kinds of individual and organisational conflicts, which arise and impact on performance measurement systems, and have done for many centuries up until the present day.

Keywords: Performance measures; Public sector organizations; Case studies; Balanced scorecard (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110 ... d&utm_campaign=repec (text/html)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110 ... d&utm_campaign=repec (application/pdf)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijppmp:17410400510622250

DOI: 10.1108/17410400510622250

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management is currently edited by Dr Luisa Huatuco and Dr Nicky Shaw

More articles in International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management from Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Emerald Support ().