Performance management, decentralization and management development: local government in Europe

Drawing on Price Waterhouse Cranfield survey data, examines whether the common challenges to local authorities in Europe have resulted in similar national trends in human resource management. Compares public and private sector developments in line management responsibility, remuneration, appraisal and management development in six countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the UK. While line mangement responsibility has expanded rapidly in all countries apart from Germany, local authorities generally lag behind the private sector in relation to performance management. Analyses the implications of the observed changes in human resource management policies for managerial roles and concludes by looking at the management development consequences for local authorities.