Performance Management in the Public Sector

by Wouter Van Dooren, Geert Bouckaert, John Halligan

Overview

This fully revised third edition provides a comprehensive exploration of performance management in the public sector, incorporating nearly 200 new references from the latest decade of performance management research. The book presents fresh evidence on the uses and effects of performance management, making it an essential resource for students, researchers, and professionals seeking to design functional performance management systems.

Moving beyond the traditional New Public Management paradigm, the book critically examines how performance measurement, incorporation, and use can be purposefully designed to enhance public management and governance. With a strong didactical focus, it offers guidance on designing performance management systems that align with contemporary challenges and policy needs.

Readers will benefit from a structured approach that combines theoretical insights with practical applications and cases. Whether in academia, government, or consultancy, this book equips readers with the knowledge and tools to measure and manage performance effectively.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040427453
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/28/2025
Series:	Routledge Masters in Public Management
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	260
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Wouter Van Dooren is a Professor of Public Administration at the University of Antwerp and the Antwerp Management School, Belgium.

Geert Bouckaert is Emeritus Professor at the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute, Belgium. He was President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) (2013–19) and of the European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) (2004–10).

John Halligan is Emeritus Professor of Public Administration and Governance, Centre for Environmental Governance, University of Canberra, Australia.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Defining the Concepts 3. The History of Performance Management 4. Performance Measurement 5. The Incorporation of Performance Information 6. The Use of Performance Information 7. The Users of Performance Information 8. Non-Use of Performance Information 9. The Effects of Using Performance Information 10. The Future of Performance Management