ALBERT

Notes: Purpose - To consider the extent to which regimes of performance measurement in the public sector are fit for purpose, and the likely outcomes for public services and public sector workers of such performance measurement systems. Design/methodology/approach - The article considers four key issues: the context and content of performance measurement in the public sector, the specific examples of health care and higher education, the limitations of performance measurement systems, and the likely outcomes of performance measurement systems. Findings - Current systems of performance measurement in the public sector are unlikely to have a significant influence on improving services. The most likely outcomes of these systems is further commodification of services and deprofessionalisation of public sector workers. Originality/value - The article builds on established literature and offers a systematic metaphor-driven critique of performance management in the public sector, and discusses the implications of this.

Notes: Purpose - To provide a critique of the strategies that the UK Government employed at that time of the closure of the countryside during the foot and mouth disease (FMD) and their subsequent effects upon leisure and tourism providers. The work evaluates the sector's responses to the FMD crisis and considers their significance and influence in relation to the strategies deployed. Possible alternative strategies are presented which both government and industries can consider. Design/methodology/approach - The complete sector of tourism and leisure providers within the market town of Keswick was surveyed twice over a two-year period. The initial survey was undertaken in 2002 and the second survey occurred in 2004. Keswick is situated in the northern sector of the English Lake District National Park, which is situated within the county of Cumbria. This area was seen to be the most affected by the foot and mouth crisis both in terms of severity and duration of infection. In addition to the survey conducted, key personnel from government agencies and voluntary organisations were also interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Additional information was accessed from a FMD discussion web site. Findings - The impact of the foot and mouth crisis devastated the rural tourism and leisure industries. The governmental policy utilized was myopic in its outlook and ineffectual in that it concentrated mainly upon the consequences to, and the needs of, the farming industry. The current proposals acknowledge to some degree that the town's tourism and leisure industry are a valued part of the rural economy, but the authors question if these are effective enough. Originality/value - The originality of the study has enabled the evaluation of the strategies put in place immediately after the FMD crisis. It not only critically appraises proposed policies (i.e. limited closure of the countryside in future) but uniquely proposes a number of alternatives.

Notes: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to consider the impact of a major initiative (the National Competition Policy) and pieces of legislation (the Local Government Act and the Local Government Finance Standards) on the internal practices of a large Australian local authority. Design/methodology/approach - A theoretical framework is developed using new public management (NPM) and neo-institutional theory literatures to explain the findings. A case study approach was applied to collect the data for the research. Findings - The findings reveal that the National Competition Policy 1993, the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government Finance Standards 1994 mainly have brought about significant changes to the organisation's internal management control processes, such as financial reporting, budgeting and performance appraisal. The changes brought in appeared to be coincidentally similar to NPM ideals. Furthermore, senior managers (such as the chief executive and divisional heads) played a major role in implementing new accounting technologies (activity-based costing and the balanced scorecard type performance measurement system). Research limitations/implications - Future research on public sector financial management from the outset of organisational contexts could considerably further the stock of knowledge in this area, especially given the rapid changes occurring within the public sector throughout the world. Future research may wish to extend this study by assessing how external legitimating functions become internal reality, the perceptions of reality of the organisational members, and how these perceptions change over time. Practical implications - The findings reported provide evidence to further our understanding of how the introduction of private sector styles of organisational practices into large areas of the public sector brought about significant changes in the demand for "new" financial management practices. Originality/value - The findings reported on in this paper will open a new path of research that may increase our understanding about the factors that play a role in the design of management and accounting systems in a public sector context. Further, they will help policy makers and public sector managers in their day-to-day decision-making.

Notes: Purpose - The objectives of the study are to identify and understand the environment, relationships and barriers for the key stakeholders in changing their workplace environment, and to negotiate and create an action plan to address the effectiveness issues in relation to rolling out CANDO across the Trust. Design/methodology/approach - This study has adopted a multi-method approach using action learning/research, questionnaire, participant observation, and reflexive analysis. Findings - The results indicate that there are individual, group and system improvements, but to achieve these the training in CANDO has to be action based as the "knowing-by-doing" (not just the theory) has to be experienced, learnt, shared and disseminated to other teams. Research limitations/implications - As this is a pilot study, the findings are at a preliminary stage and therefore limit the generalisibility of the results. However, there has been an opportunity to test methodological instruments that will enable us to understand the overall effectiveness of CANDO as a mechanism of change within the health setting. The implications of this research are discussed at three levels: individual, department and strategic. Originality/value - Undertaking research in the health sector is a break from the Lean Enterprise Research Centre's roots in manufacturing, distribution and retail/service sectors. The importance of improving quality and performance are key to all sectors and we wish to contribute to understanding the transferability of good practice and organisational change. This is the first time CANDO implementation has been reported in a health setting as a means of change within the NHS.

Notes: Purpose - The purpose of this article is to explore the interrelationship between workplace stress, coping and resiliency and their influence on employee health and productivity. Design/methodology/approach - This general review includes an examination of selected theoretical models within the areas of stress, coping and resiliency. In addition, a conceptual framework is presented which emphasizes the role that personality characteristics and coping strategies play in impacting employees' overall health and productivity within the workplace. Findings - Through this general review, there is a recognition of the importance of both personality characteristics and coping strategies and their associated influence on employee health and productivity - specifically within Civil Service work settings. Practical implications - Managers, executives and human resource management practitioners are presented with proposed strategies as a means of examining coping, resiliency and workplace stress within Civil Service work environments. Originality/value - This article offers readers further insights into understanding why some employees are more or less resilient, given the same stressful situation. In today's Civil Service work environment, continually shifting performance expectations and media/public scrutiny are just two of the features common to working for government agencies. Therefore, the issue of understanding and building resilient Civil Service workforces that are able to handle the multitude of unique demands and constraints placed on them seems not only intriguing, but necessary.

Notes: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the structural effects of public sector catering tender procedures and suggests improvements that would benefit clients, users and small catering firms. The essential problem is that current tender procedures have the effect of limiting clients' knowledge of possible quality and cost configurations. Thus clients are unable to reveal their preferences in tender specifications, and so bidders bid low prices and low quality. Design/methodology/approach - The approach is an analysis of current procedures using concepts from market structure and asymmetric information. Findings - The main finding is that low prices and low quality are the norm because information relating to price is more complete than information relating to quality, and because not all interested parties participate in the decision making. In addition, present procedures probably favour larger firms. Research limitations/implications - Cases of appropriate quality are not available for observation precisely because of the "lemons" problem: appropriate and better quality are driven from the market because of the nature of existing structures and procedures. Practical implications - The implications of the research are that procedures should be changed in order to provide incentives for both sides to release information regarding possible configurations and preferences. The most important recommendation is that the bidding process should be undertaken in two rounds. The first round would reveal possible quality/cost configurations while the second would determine the price, as in a standard sealed bid auction. Originality/value - The paper explores a problem that is of practical importance using economic theory often regarded as rather abstract.

Notes: Purpose - This study aims to test the belief that work-family practices could have a negative influence in the workplace for non-users of these practices. Design/methodology/approach - A quantitative approach was undertaken, where users and non-users of work-family practices reported on a number of job-related attitudes. Organisational justice theories suggest that employees will report lower attitudes if they feel that they are missing out on some benefit or practice. T-tests were used to compare differences in these attitudes between users and non-users. Findings - There were no significant differences in any of the examined attitudes between users and non-users of the organisations' work-family practices. Research limitations/implications - Implications are that firms should not necessarily decline the adoption of work-family practices if they fear a "backlash" from their employees who would not use work-family practices. The authors suggest that the social good these practices may provide might remove any negative feelings towards the organisation by employees who cannot use these practices. Practical implications - Practical implications for public sector organisations might be offering work-family practices that target the widest array of employees. Further, future research into work-family backlash should compare actual users of multiple practices as explored here. Originality/value - This is one of the few papers to explore users and non-users of multiple work-family practices. It confirms previous research into work-family backlash, indicating that the non-users are not adversely affected by work-family practices that they do not or cannot use. However, unlike other studies, this paper explored the use of multiple work-family practices, providing stronger and more realistic findings for managers to have confidence in their work-family practices.

Notes: Purpose - Sets out to present current dynamics of public management reform in Austria, a country that is characterized by institutional governance features (federal structure, legalistic Rechtsstaat tradition) often described as an obstacle to management-oriented reforms. The paper's focus lies in the reception of management ideas and concepts by public sector executives within this special national context and in differences between federal and state administration. Design/methodology/approach - Presents results of a recent questionnaire-based executive survey (sample size: 385). Apart from non-parametric correlation analyses, investigates level differences (federal vs state) by using an independent samples Mann-Whitney U rank sum test. Findings - Highlights the importance of the national institutional background for understanding public management changes. Finds considerable support for reform initiatives despite some scepticism and resistance towards management knowledge and instruments. Results confirm that executives in a legalistic Rechtsstaat system are not per se opposed to management-driven reforms. Regarding the reception of public management reforms, at various government levels, differences between federal and state level are less pronounced than expected. Originality/value - Addresses the lack of empirical research regarding the reception of management ideas in legalistic Rechtsstaat systems by presenting data from a country which has hardly been covered by international public management literature so far. This study also compares the reception at federal and state administration to look for level variations of management reform dynamics.

Notes: Purpose - To review the voluntary operations of Counseling Services for the Elderly, which has operated since 1972 under the National Insurance Institute of the State of Israel. Design/methodology/approach - The paper considers the elderly population and its characteristics and the gradual development of the volunteering counseling services. The characteristics of the volunteers and their motivation in this work are also discussed. The training that volunteers undergo is constantly being updated and upgraded, and details are provided that cover home visits, consultations and special projects. Findings - Currently, Counseling Services for the Elderly operates 4,278 volunteers in 21 branches across the country, supporting thousands of the elderly on a relatively low budget of less than $3 million for 2003. Originality/value - The paper presents a unique voluntary service that is fully integrated into national welfare for the elderly. The service meets the objectives of assistance to the elderly while helping to maintain and develop the quality of life of the volunteer.

Notes: Purpose - The aim of this paper is to report on development and use of a survey instrument that captures qualitative, process-related data from local authority officers in New Zealand, from which is derived a rigorous and parsimonious set of critical performance measures. Design/methodology/approach - An instrument was developed utilising performance exemplars promoted by industry-respected consulting experts. New Zealand local authorities were surveyed and exploratory factor analysis used to identify what the factors represent conceptually. Profile Similarity Indices (PSIs) describe the alignment between expected and actual consultant performances. Findings - A rigorous set of five critical process-related dimensions of performance and their associated (18) scales were derived, which demonstrate the desired properties of reliability and validity. Interpretation of the Profile Similarity Indices values is provided. Research limitations/implications - Subjective data on excellent consulting practice sourced from industry-respected consultants was used rather than justifying reasons for their choice from a theoretical basis. Generalisability of results to other business and industry sectors remains to be tested. Practical implications - The derived performance measures may be used by practitioners to objectively assess management consultant performance and local authority performance (in specifying the contract). Where performance discrepancies exist, reasons and remedial actions may be determined via consideration of the individual scale items. Originality/value - There continues to be a lack of research into the practices employed by local authorities when they retain and manage their management consultants; such purchasers often experience difficulty judging what is being offered and what kinds and levels of performance are relevant and achievable. Underperformance may be due to a lack of objective and well-developed consulting performance standards. The present study examines these gaps.

Notes: Purpose - This paper aims to explore the topic of leadership as perceived and described by public library leaders. In particular, the paper seeks to investigate the reported impact of public library leaders on their followers. The study aims to develop an understanding of the perceptions of current leaders in the field of public librarianship. Design/methodology/approach - A total of 30 top-level public librarians from Ireland, the UK, and the east coast of the USA were selected for inclusion in this study. A review of the relevant literature was used to design an interview guide which was used to conduct structured in-depth face-to-face interviews. Findings - The findings illustrate that the leaders believe that followers are motivated by example from their leaders. The interviewed librarians highlight the role played by followers, whom they see as the foundation of public library service. The librarians argue that a partnership approach between leaders and followers is necessary to formulate and to put into effect strategies and courses of action to fulfil organizational purpose and goals. Originality/value - The current study is the most in-depth study to date on this topic, drawing on face-to-face interviews with 30 public library leaders. Prior to this study, no in-depth study on the topic of leadership in librarianship has been researched and published outside of North America. As this study was undertaken in three national jurisdictions - Ireland, UK, and the USA, it is also the first transnational study on the topic.

Notes: Purpose - The purpose of this article is to explore the export of new public management (NPM) to developing countries and to describe and evaluate the introduction of these initiatives in very different environments from their origins. Design/methodology/approach - The article traces the introduction of performance agreements into the public service of Vanuatu. Performance agreements are identified as an initiative typically promoted by NPM. The Vanuatu case is set within a review of the origin, use and record of performance agreements in countries such as Australia, the UK and the USA. Findings - The adoption of performance agreements has been slow and has enjoyed limited success. Among the difficulties encountered are suspicion, lack of incentives, an unreceptive environment, and possible identification as being donor-driven. It is difficult to see performance agreements in their current form making an impact on performance improvement in the Vanuatu public service. Practical implications - NPM initiatives must be carefully considered before being transferred to other countries. They may offer benefits but what has worked in one environment will often need considerable modification, certain preconditions and lengthy lead-in time to be effective in another environment. Originality/value - There are few case studies of attempts to transfer NPM-style reforms to developing countries and none on performance agreements, yet many countries in the Pacific and elsewhere are becoming interested in this mode of performance management. This case study helps to fill this gap through description and analysis of the Vanuatu experience and provides practical lessons for others considering policy transfer of NPM initiatives such as performance agreements.

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".

Notes: Purpose - Much of the writing on partnerships implicitly assumes that they are beneficial. Other literature points out that partnerships are seldom of equals, and can become instruments of oppression whereby a strong partner gains at the expense of weaker members. This has been taken up by community development specialists with particular reference to the position, at best ambiguous, of representatives or residents of local communities on the boards of regeneration partnerships. This paper aims to review this theory. Design/methodology/approach - Reviews partnerships and briefly considers three types of partnership in the UK: private finance initiatives (PFI) or public-private partnerships (PPP); local strategic partnerships; and local area regeneration partnerships. Findings - Concludes that partnerships need time to grow for confidence to be gained inside as well as outside the partnership; partnerships are not usually of equals, and the position of "community representatives" on the boards of partnerships is intrinsically problematic. However, local area partnerships need them: to make "decisions", to test the likely reception of new ideas, to help sell what is going on. It is likely to prove a serious problem for some PFI/PPP partnerships which are contractually bound for 25 or 30 years; but one may surmise that in many cases partners will fall out and it will be difficult then to deliver the promises that have been made. Originality/value - Partnerships vary, and hence generalisation is difficult. But some important points from the discussion can add to the ongoing dialogue about the nature of partnerships in regeneration.

Notes: Purpose - Seeks to draw together a number of separate but, arguably, inter-related themes which are present for those involved in "sense making" within and across public and third sector agencies or organisations. Design/methodology/approach - Uses a case study approach of one community-based network in South London to explore the ways in which action learning can facilitate self-reflection and open up the processes of partnership to a wider audience. Findings - The particular challenge for any evaluator is to identify the ways in which definitions and meanings are shared or contested by participants. These can be "heard" through the different narratives which are constructed by those engaged in the evaluation process. Originality/value - Attempts to identify what the critical questions were for those involved and provides a commentary on the experience.

Notes: Purpose - The purpose of this article is to examine, appraise and highlight the significance of promoting innovation in aid of industrial development. Design/methodology/approach - A comprehensive range of published literature is critiqued first to understand why industrial development constitutes a major objective of a country's economic strategy and government policy. Then, through a theoretical review of industrial policy works, relevant issues (e.g. how efficient industrial development sustains economic growth) are highlighted for discussion. For instance, the importance of private sector-led industrial development and the need to adopt a primary focus on innovation-driven industrial policy. Findings - By drawing lessons from the developed world, the article explains why industrial policy-making must address the pursuit of innovation as a prime mover of economic development; and further outlines the role of government in innovation-driven industrial policy. As a case study, evolutionary perspectives of Singapore's industrialisation process are elaborated to illustrate a government's role in industrial policy-making. Research limitations/implications - Future research could provide better guidance to address new emergent challenges of industrial policy-making. Practical implications - The discussion on industrial policy issues raised in this article is expected to be of interest to policy makers, industry planners, academic researchers and business practitioners. Originality/value - This article offers insights into effective industrial policy-making for developing nations that may help to transform their economies.

Notes: Purpose - The aim of the paper is to examine alternative methods of regulating prices and/or profits of privatised utilities in low-income countries with a view to identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Design/methodology/approach - The economics of regulation literature has favoured the use of a price cap over rate of return or cost of service regulation because of its greater incentive effects. A third alternative, sliding-scale regulation, has been put forward as a compromise between the price cap and a controlled rate of return, which is said to combine the merits of both methods. This paper considers the operation of a price cap, rate of return regulation and sliding-scale regulation in the context of low-income economies by reviewing the theory in relation to the conditions likely to be found in low-income economies. Findings - It is concluded that the case for the use of a price cap is much reduced in low-income economies. This is because of its information requirements, need for regulatory expertise and, more broadly, the institutional endowment found in many low-income countries. Research limitations/implications - It is recognised that this conclusion is tentative and deserves further research, comparing theory and practice. Practical implications - Countries need to consider carefully which method of regulation will work best in the context of the institutions of the country, rather than simply copy a method from the developed world. Originality/value - This is one of the first papers to challenge the prevailing belief that price cap regulation is superior to rate of return regulation in the context of economic development.

Notes: Purpose - The aim of this paper is to explore the issues involved in developing and applying performance management approaches within a large UK public sector department using a multiple stakeholder perspective and an accompanying theoretical framework. Design/methodology/approach - An initial short questionnaire was used to determine perceptions about the implementation and effectiveness of the new performance management system across the organisation. In total, 700 questionnaires were distributed. Running concurrently with an ethnographic approach, and informed by the questionnaire responses, was a series of semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Findings - Staff at all levels had an understanding of the new system and perceived it as being beneficial. However, there were concerns that the approach was not continuously managed throughout the year and was in danger of becoming an annual event, rather than an ongoing process. Furthermore, the change process seemed to have advanced without corresponding changes to appraisal and reward and recognition systems. Thus, the business objectives were not aligned with motivating factors within the organisation. Research limitations/implications - Additional research to test the validity and usefulness of the theoretical model, as discussed in this paper, would be beneficial. Practical implications - The strategic integration of the stakeholder performance measures and scorecards was found to be essential to producing an overall stakeholder-driven strategy within the case study organisation. Originality/value - This paper discusses in detail the approach adopted and the progress made by one large UK public sector organisation, as it attempts to develop better relationships with all of its stakeholders and hence improve its performance. This paper provides a concerted attempt to link theory with practice.

Notes: Purpose - To understand the effects of the best value regime on the public provision of recreation at the level of the leisure centre. Design/methodology/approach - A strategic auditing device is applied to 87 leisure centres to investigate the strategic variables of environmental stability and attractiveness, service strengths and financial resources. The analysis produces a typology of leisure centres, and evaluates the prospects of each type under best value. Findings - The findings suggest that a large number of leisure centres managed by local authorities will make limited headway in implementing best value. What is more, many face problems that will be exacerbated, rather than eased, by current policy. Leisure centres managed by Trusts generally face more benign local environments, which appear to offer greater prospects, but it is clear that Trust status itself offers few advantages outside a greater range of financial sources. Research limitations/implications - The research focuses on strategic choices as they face leisure centre managers. It does not directly explore the strategic and policy decisions made at other levels. Practical implications - The paper argues for subtler recreation policy (and by implication, the provision of public sector services generally) that pays due regard to the local conditions of service providers. Policy that focuses only on general prescription of managerial (and often rhetorical) practices will frequently lead strategies towards satisficing performance indicators that may be arbitrary, rather than focusing on problems and issues as they face professional leisure managers. Originality/value - The use of a formal strategy tool as the level of a service provider is novel, and augments work on hybrid firms facing strategic choices based not only on political factors but also private sector market-oriented competitors. Further, useful comparisons are made between leisure centres managed by Trusts and those still controlled by a Local Authority. The data provided will also help to inform practical and academic debates concerning the application of quality standards and management practices in the leisure sector.

Notes: Purpose - To compare the profitability and technical efficiency of firms in a monopoly industry, airports, operating with different degrees of market power and under differing regulatory regimes, minimalist in New Zealand and interventionist in Australia. Design/methodology/approach - Unlike previous privatisation studies, this study measures efficiency and profitability separately. Using data envelopment analysis (DEA), the technical efficiency of privatised airports is assessed, and this independent measure is used in regression analyses to determine whether efficiency, regulation or privatisation is related to airport profitability. Findings - For firms with monopolistic characteristics operating under minimalist regulation, profitability is related to market power, not efficiency improvements. For firms operating in a regulated environment, profitability is related to regulation, which constrains market power but does not impede efficiency. Research limitations/implications - This study is limited by its small sample size and its generalisability due to its single industry and regional focus. However, the findings support assertions that the impact of privatisation cannot be assessed independently of industry structure and regulation. Practical implications - Policy makers considering SOE privatisation in non-competitive markets should introduce either competition or regulation if firm efficiency is a desired outcome. Originality/value - Academics and policy makers should be aware that privatisation and competition are not only complementary, as per the extant literature, but they are essential bedfellows. In the absence of competition, regulation is required to control for market power.

Notes: Purpose - Decision making in networks is multilateral and interaction-based and is often contrasted with unilateral decision making in a hierarchy. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether unilateral interventions can nevertheless be functional in networks. Design/methodology/approach - A large number of empirical studies into decision making in networks were consulted to examine whether they featured unilateral interventions and, if so, what the roles of these interventions were. Prior to this, the author outlines theories on decision making in networks and the dysfunctions of unilateral interventions. Findings - Six strategies were found in which unilateral interventions proved effective in network-like decision making. Unilateral action may be used to influence other actors' perceptions of the win-win game, to change the pattern of interdependencies, as a follow-up to failed interaction, if room is offered simultaneously, if there is a critical mass of winners and to de-hierarchize decision making. These unilateral strategies were found to be embedded in interaction-based, network-like decision making. In some cases, they stimulated a process of interaction; in other cases, they resulted from a process of interaction. Practical implications - The strategies show that decision making in networks benefits from the intelligent use of unilateral action. Originality/value - The paper goes beyond the dichotomy between network and hierarchy and demonstrates that, on the interface of networks and hierarchies, there are many possibilities of developing strategies that - although unilateral - are network-contingent.

Notes: Purpose - This paper has two purposes. The first is to help elected officials address the issue of public accountability for crises and improve productivity and risk management in the process by outsourcing some traditional government functions to civil society based organizations that can do a better job. The second is to mobilize researchers to explore the implications of the shift from "governing" to "governance" for risk management and the development of risk culture. Design/methodology/approach - After exploring some case studies, the paper examines some leading resources on the shift from "governing" to "governance". The paper goes on to present an alternative approach for managing public risks. Findings - In order to improve the management of public risks, and given the financial constraints faced by most governments, there is a need for a deliberate effort to entice civil society based organizations to help government identify and alert the public to possible risks. In other words, civil society based organizations that make claims for public resources in the name of good governance should, as necessary, play the role of a watchdog when it comes to public safety and guarding of the public interest in that regard. Practical implications - Use of market forces and non-governmental entities to replace government agencies and regulations that cannot assure the public safety because they are difficult to implement, expensive or likely to be compromised due to various forms of corruption and politics. Originality/value - The paper advocates substitution of "management by exception" by a "management by risk" approach and the fostering of an administrative culture that is more mindful of the need to recognize and address possible risks. Such an approach, the paper claims, is a more promising approach than an increase in government regulation.

Notes: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate on the response of doctors to health policy initiatives in general and clinical governance in particular. Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative approach has been adopted where the empirical data collection and the analysis are influenced by a phenomenological case study approach. An instrumental case study is undertaken and a heterogeneous group of 33 persons with important responsibilities for clinical governance was interviewed using a semi-structured format. Findings - The results indicate that doctors are not enthusiastic about clinical governance and it is not receiving wholehearted support from doctors because they feel that clinical governance is a management-led initiative imposed without adequate consultations. The real reasons for lack of enthusiasm, indifference and sometimes resistance of doctors to clinical governance are examined. This paper points out the tension between an organisation (wishing to bring clinical care within a management framework) and doctors (who are resisting managerial efforts to replace the old framework of bureau professionalism). Research limitations/implications - Further research is required to develop a better understanding of the influence of clinical governance on power and conflict in NHS organisations. Practical implications - This paper has practical implications for policy makers as well as NHS managers. Policy makers may consider suitable amendments in clinical governance to minimise resistance and seek the support of clinicians. A better understanding of this issue would perhaps enable NHS management to develop better management practices that will make it possible to seek the support of doctors for clinical governance. Originality/value - Limited attention has been paid to understanding the response of doctors to clinical governance. This empirical research makes a valuable contribution by focusing on this important aspect of clinical governance.

Notes: Purpose - E-governance initiatives are common in most countries as they promise a more citizen-centric government and reduce operational cost. Unfortunately most of these initiatives have not been able to achieve the benefits claimed. Often the reason for this failure is a techno-centric focus rather than a governance-centric focus. The aim of this paper is to explore the necessary attributes of a governance-centric initiative under the banner "excellent e-governance" (e2-governance), and describe a methodology for ensuring such excellence in e-governance implementations. Design/methodology/approach - The paper follows a case study approach for developing the concept of excellent e-governance. It first conceptually differentiates between e-government and e-governance and describes the status of e-governance in developing countries. It then differentiates between the two approaches to e-governance: techno-centric and governance-centric. Next, the attributes of excellent e-governance are explored in detail, and illustrated by two case studies. Then, the major issues for bringing excellence to e-governance initiatives are identified. Last, a methodology under development, called "e-governance engineering", is described, which when applied to an e-governance initiative, will ensure excellence. Findings - Excellence (or governance-centricism) in e-governance requires the initiative to be effectiveness-driven and not merely efficiency-driven. This will require the initiative to be led by a "good governance" driven goal/purpose: additionally, the initiative must be outcome-focused. Practical implications - There has been a dearth of methodologies for implementing e-governance initiatives, and an increase in the number of failed e-governance projects. This paper proposes a methodology, "e-governance engineering", which aims to fill this gap and at the same time bring excellence to the e-governance initiatives implemented. Originality/value - The paper introduces the notion of "excellence" in e-governance (e2-governance), which is supposed to be the goal of all e-governance initiatives. It also introduces a methodology to accomplish this goal. It is hoped that the methodology will help public administrators and public organisations in successfully designing and implementing e-governance projects, thereby contributing to enhanced governance at optimal cost.

Notes: Purpose - The aim of this paper is to report the finding of an exploratory research project that considered how public service organizations may conquer the debilitating effects of enterprise dementia. Design/methodology/approach - Building on the seminal research of Michael Earl, this project sought to solicit the view from the front, which in this case are the middle managers of the Canadian public service. Specifically, the aim was to determine which of Earl's schools of knowledge would be most appropriate in curbing the organizational memory loss and taming the information anxiety that are common place today. Findings - The sample of public service middle managers overwhelmingly opted for a single strategy. The organizational school surfaced as the strategy most likely to fit respondents' perceived needs. Through collaboration, Earl's organizational school focuses on maximizing the use of social networks with a view to knowledge sharing. Practical implications - This paper provides a compendium of knowledge strategies that may be useful for public service executives. Originality/value - This the first project to consider how Earl's taxonomy of knowledge strategies may be implemented in a Canadian public service environment.

Notes: Purpose - This paper aims to put forward for consideration new insights into the creation of "second order" change in local government. Design/methodology/approach - In-depth interviews were carried out in five local authorities to investigate risk management (RM) processes. Interviewees were guided by, but not limited to, outline questions to avoid imposing any preconceived theories about the structure and range of RM processes. Findings - The extent to which RM was found to be embedded was unexpected, particularly in contrast with observed reactions to previous initiatives. A framework to describe the observed phenomenon is found in the concept of first-order and second-order change and a possible explicatory concept in Hood's analysis of administrative design. Part of the explanation may also lie in the alignment of the initiative aims with the interest of front-line staff. Research limitations/implications - The reported phenomenon is based on a small sample, as is normal in in-depth case study research. Further empirical work is required. Practical implications - If the changes are found to have taken place generally, it may be possible to apply some of the attributes of RM to future initiatives. It may also be possible for individual organisations to build on RM successes in order to develop a "learning culture" which could have a beneficial effect in other areas. Originality/value - Changes in culture are notoriously difficult to achieve. The comparison of the effect of introducing corporate risk management with the effect of previous initiatives may provide some insight into ways of encouraging culture change.

Notes: Purpose - When managers are faced with making a decision about what to do in a particular situation, do they base that decision on findings from research? This research paper seeks to report on qualitative and quantitative research which examined school principals' perceptions of barriers to the use of research. Design/methodology/approach - To facilitate a comparison the qualitative and quantitative study was conducted simultaneously in two countries, i.e. England and Israel, using individual and group interviews, and the Barriers Scale survey instrument. Findings - The results of tests indicated that factors associated with the research itself (e.g. relevance and access), were significant barriers to research use for principals from both countries (compared with factors associated with the setting, the presentation of research, and the individual). Research limitations/implications - The authors acknowledge some limitations with respect to equivalence across cultures, particularly functional and contextual (e.g. political) equivalence. Practical implications - The paper concludes that multiple strategies would be required to address a number of issues related to the dissemination of research and ways of addressing the gap between the aims of researchers, and the needs and expectations of practitioners. Originality/value - The topic is timely, and a comparative approach is particularly useful in any social area, especially in public school management.

Notes: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine whether disciplinary background and work experience significantly influence university students' views on working and preferences for organisations and work attributes. Design/methodology/approach - The data were collected by a questionnaire. This paper briefly reviews the literature of Australian public sector reforms and the impact on the public sector as a potential employment location. The work values of young workers are subsequently presented, including the influence of disciplinary background and work experience on these values. Findings - The respondents' disciplinary background, and to a smaller extent, work experience were found to significantly affect their views on working and preferences for organisations and work attributes. Research limitations/implications - Sample size was small and derived from one university. More research should be carried out on students from other Australian universities before any generalisation can be made with any degree of confidence. Future research can also examine the reasons behind the traits uncovered among the younger generation for a better understanding of their motives and views. Practical implications - The study shows the importance of effective recruitment strategies for attracting university students to the public sector, communicating the opportunities offered and minimising any misconceptions about the image of public service. The presence of a public service ethic among respondents who were favourably predisposed to public service may suggest that this attribute could be leveraged to the government's advantage during recruitment. Originality/value - Although money may not be a primary factor that drew the respondents who displayed the public service ethic trait to government service, they did not in any way disregard the importance of salary as a motivator. Recruiters should therefore not overlook or downplay the significance of a fair salary. A useful source for HR managers who are contemplating improvement in their recruitment strategies, with an emphasis on those aimed at university graduates.

Notes: Purpose - The paper seeks to discuss the process of performance management and measurement system-building in the public sector in a transitional country, with particular reference to Serbia. Design/methodology/approach - A short description of the general legal framework within which the local governments in Serbia operate is given, followed by a discussion of the usual, and to some extent well-known, problems of performance management system-building and implementation. Findings - The detailed interviews with a number of mayors and senior local Civil Servants pointed out that a number of issues, believed to have been resolved in the Western countries, have emerged as being problematic in the policy implementation process in the region. Originality/value - This paper not only analyses the stages in the system-building process, but also tries to explain why "measurement revolutions" may fail in a constantly changing transitional environment.

Notes: Purpose - Since the early 1990s there has been a growth in local authorities of risk management. However, despite a range of different strategies, initiatives and practices the issue of financing the risks to which authorities are exposed has remained problematic. The traditional dependence on the commercial insurance market has proved to be a flawed strategy. This paper aims to analyse an alternative risk financing strategy which has been successful in local authorities in other countries, that of risk pooling. Design/methodology/approach - The paper analyses the rationale behind risk pools, investigates the legislative environment that appears to make these acceptable to central government and evaluates the likely benefits to local authorities of their adoption. Findings - The paper finds that the perceived main legislative barrier to risk pools may no longer exist. Given that, there is a strategic, financial and operational case to be made for at least exploring the possibility of risk pooling. The experience from the USA would suggest that pools can have an important role to play in risk financing, and evidence now exists that a number of UK local authorities are actively pursuing pool formation. Practical implications - The development of risk pools is likely to result in a significant reduction in the use of conventional insurance by local authorities. The evidence would suggest that this will be beneficial, but this is subject to the proviso that actuarial, financial and managerial practice within pools is rigorous. Originality/value - This is an under-researched area, with almost no extant UK-relevant academic, or indeed practitioner, literature. The paper adds to the understanding of public sector risk management and financing for both academic and practitioner audiences.