Measuring performance in the public sector: challenges and trends

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that in the last decades the globalization of economies together with the adoption of the new public management model have involved deep changes in the organization and management of public service organisations (PSOs). The need to increase their accountability and customer focus orientation has driven the implementation of performance measurement systems (PMSs) in order to improve efficiency and performance. Most of the PMSs are adopted from the private sector. However PSOs present specific issues that need to be addressed. In this paper some of the main challenges and trends are introduced as well as three papers focused on the relevance and challenges related to the implementation of PMSs. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is mainly based on the results of a literature review as well as on the personal experience of the authors in the field. Its scope is to identify some fundamental research and practical practitioner issues to be investigated in order to improve the understanding and practice of the design and implementation of PMSs in public organisations. Findings – The paper identifies the main issues related to performance measurement in the public sector. Originality/value – This paper benefits both researchers interested to map the most important research area in the field of performance measurement in the public sector, and practitioners concerned with the obstacles to be overcome for an effective and efficient implementation of PMSs.