ALBERT

Notes: Purpose - This paper examines the actual and desired use of performance measures for management and external reporting purposes, as well as perceived impediments to their effective use. Design/methodology/approach - A total of 334 senior administrators in Canadian municipalities participated in this survey study. Findings - Somewhat more efficiency measures than effectiveness measures have been used for various purposes. However, greater use was perceived desirable than actually occurred, particularly for effectiveness measures. A significant increase in the use was expected in the near future especially for effectiveness measures. Internal and external verification of measures was considered important by both internal and external auditors. Although the study also identified impediments to the development and meaningful use of performance measures, performance measurement appears to have been accepted as a useful managerial tool and have significant future potential. Research limitations/implications - The results are limited by the survey method. Practical implications - The results can provide guidance to public-sector administrators and professionals for planning and decision making purposes and to professional bodies and regulatory agencies for developing comparative performance reporting standards. Originality/value - Using the descriptive and normative perspectives, this study provides new evidence in the Canadian context. It concludes that, although the mandatory performance measurement and reporting requirements for municipalities in Canada lag those in the UK, the USA, and Australia, a significant degree of usage occurred voluntary in Canadian municipalities.

Notes: Purpose - Local authorities use events and festivals within their region to help achieve a diverse range of economic and social objectives. However, the success of these events, which can take up a substantial amount of the tourism, leisure or arts and cultural budget is rarely assessed in a systematic and objective manner. This article describes the importance of measuring the impacts of such events Design/methodology/approach - The methods for assessing the success of local authority events are trialled through the use of a case study involving two events organised by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. Findings - An evaluation of the methods, after conducting the case study, indicates that the techniques produced robust data that was valuable in planning future events and in securing funding. The relative simplicity of the methods used will help to ensure that similar evaluations can be carried out in-house for little cost for future public events. Originality/value - This article sets out practical guidelines for undertaking the measurement and evaluation of some of the major impacts of local authority events. Similar methods can be used by other public sector organisations involved in hosting public events.

Notes: Purpose - The paper discusses the reasons and approaches used at three health organisations in introducing outsourcing. It specifically answers the question: why have managers of health organisations outsourced some functions in preference to others? Design/methodology/approach - This research employs a case study method making use of qualitative analysis. The health organisations were chosen first as representatives of their type, and secondly due to the nature of the outsourcing decisions made. The first health organisation operates in the rural sector; the second is a metropolitan network; and the third is a large metropolitan hospital, which, in contrast to the other two case study organisations, had made only one decision to outsource, producing the largest outsourcing contract in health in Australia. Furthermore, this situation was distinctive as the contract was terminated and re-issued to another private sector organisation. Findings - The reasons for outsourcing varied within and between health organisations. Although generally they were made on the bases of the characteristics of the labour market, employee skill levels and the nature of industrial relations, the perception of what was core, the level of internal management skills, the ability of internal teams to implement change and the relationship between management and staff. Even though cost savings and a downsized labour force resulted, generally these occurred even when services were not outsourced, through the use of other change processes, such as introducing new technology, changing structures and promoting workforce flexibility. The interplay of political reasons and economic effects was evident along with the political nature of the decision-making and processes used. The paper concludes that the power of managers was a moderating factor between the desire for outsourcing and whether outsourcing actually occurred. Research limitations/implications - Although this research was conducted solely within the health sector it has implications for other public sector bodies and the private sector. Practical implications - Managerial decision making can be enhanced with the exploration of the full complement of reasons for the outsourcing decision. Originality/value - The paper has value to both academics researching in the public sector and public sector managers.

Notes: Purpose - This paper reports on the research conducted into the adaptations Canadian public sector auditors have made to the emergence of e-commerce and e-business in the delivery of public services. Design/methodology/approach - A comprehensive review of the literature was completed as a foundation for creating a semi-structure interview questionnaire used in a series of interviews with audit executives from 20 audit organizations in Canada's public sectors. Findings - The study found a distinct disconnect between what is reported in the literature and what has actually happened in practice. Practicing auditors do have a significant interest in the impact of e-business on the audit profession specifically and on their client organizations generally. But there is significant disagreement about whether e-business constitutes just another set of technologically mediated changes, not much different from the many others of the past 30 years, or whether e-business is truly disruptive in nature. The consequence of this disagreement is difference in audit practice among constituencies and highly variable dependency on external expertise in favour of developing internal capacity. Research limitations/implications - The research is limited to internal auditors of public sector organizations in Canada. Practical implications - A key area for future research is the impact on e-business on horizontality of management practice in the public sector and the need for more holistic audit interventions. Originality/value - The paper identifies key differences between what is said in the literature and what is done on the ground. It identifies key lessons from audit experience related to evolving e-government, including the management of new risks. The research is valuable to both researchers and practicing public sector audit executives alike.

Notes: Purpose - In Europe, the alignment of national public administration policies and practices to EU directions is regarded as a key factor in the process of integration. Administrative convergence within European public administration systems places new demands on human resource managers in every member state. Seeks to show that Greek public administration is aiming to investigate the organizational competencies needed for the successful alignment of the Greek civil service with EU directions. Design/methodology/approach - The approach is survey research conducted within Greek public administration. The STAIR (strategy, targets, assignment, implementation, results) model has been used as the appropriate performance management framework. Findings - Suggests that the HRM role in the contemporary public sector environment is to develop a strategic performance management framework for changing performance at organizational level and make human resources active drivers of this process.The results reveal that convergence with EU policies draws heavily on how human resource executives can manage the following three soft organizational capabilities: competence, commitment and continuity - the STAIR model's 3"Cs". Originality/value - Contributes to the literature on directions for public sector management in Greece.

Notes: Purpose - Aims to unpack the development and subsequent growth in the UK of so-called new localism concepts and policies post-1997. Design/methodology/approach - Highlights both the political rhetoric and the practical applications of such policies. In this context, introduces the articles in this special issue which focus on various dimensions of new localism-style policy, predominantly in the UK, but provide a series of arguments and illustrate a number of contradictions that are equally applicable in many Western countries. Findings - Tension exists between centralising focus and constructing prescribed policy at national state level, and decentralising power and responsibility to a more inclusive group of stakeholders in order to develop increasingly nuanced and locally specific sets of regeneration priorities and outcomes. Originality/value - The articles in this special issue illuminate a number of lessons for regeneration practitioners and managers, and for academics engaged in research and evaluation of public sector policy.

Notes: Purpose - Explores comparisons between the English and Greek local government systems, in the hope of offering some fresh insights into the regeneration and management of local areas. Design/methodology/approach - Discusses the issue of local political leadership at a time when changes in local political management arrangements are taking place in many European countries. Findings - The English and Greek experiments with developing local self-government provide some reassurance and some causes for concern but, above all, they demonstrate that in, unitary states, Ministers and Civil Servants at the centre find withdrawing from interference in local affairs a very hard exercise in self-denial. Originality/value - Illustrates the problems facing two centralised countries struggling with varying but limited success to cope with various public management issues raised by local devolution and decentralisation.

Notes: Purpose - Proposes that arguing for greater access for women is essential but not sufficient to drive equality or the spirit of diversity. Design/methodology/approach - Explores the role that women and others can play in broadening agendas and in transforming managerial and regeneration practices. Findings - A few innovative chief executives are leading the way and showing what transforming leadership is about in practice. In spite of this the intransigent lack of diversity within decision-making bodies produces a brake on positive social change. Originality/value - Provides an insight into the leadership role of women in social regeneration.

Notes: Purpose - Aims to present a critical discussion of two UK case studies through which a "third way" modernisation of regeneration policies has been identified as a world-wide trend. Design/methodology/approach - Provides case studies that represent attempts at creating "strategic superboards": the first, local strategic partnerships (LSPs) is a national programme and the second, the regeneration zones (RZs), is peculiar to a specific region in the UK. Network management theory is used to analyse how regeneration partnerships, as networked organisations, are managed. The focus is on the institutional design rules used to achieve decentralisation, balance and joining-up. Findings - Although the findings show that the programmes' institutional design was potentially improved, the partnerships' achievements fell short of their objectives. It is concluded that a key factor in this failure is the continuing partial approach by central government in managing the networks. As a result these partnerships found it difficult to operate within the new institutional designs. Originality/value - Highlights that there has been an absence of attention to management in network situations by UK academics that is not shared by our UK and European counterparts.

Notes: Purpose - Seeks to analyse the complexity of current practices surrounding the management and governance of urban regeneration activities in the UK. In particular, aims to focus on the potential of initiatives decentralised to the sub-local level that have been designed both to effectively manage public service provision and to improve citizen participation in local government management decision making. Design/methodology/approach - Explores the early experiences of local authorities' attempts to introduce "area committees" in line with the complex "modernisation" agendas advanced by the "New Labour" government under an overarching project of "new localism". Findings - Highlights that new attempts at devolving power and responsibility to these sub-local structures should be more flexible to local conditions rather than directed by national policy. Originality/value - Argues for a "middle way" to be adopted in managing local government and governance changes in order to develop a more "pragmatic localism".