The role of organisational culture and leadership style in performance measurement and management: a longitudinal case study

Abstract

Since the 90s the need to develop Performance Measurement Systems and Performance Management Practices (PMM) in public organisations has been highlighted, however, the contingency factors influencing PMM still lack a deep understanding. To contribute to filling this research gap, the paper aims to investigate the influence of leadership style and organisational culture on the PMM-sustaining performance of an Italian justice court through a longitudinal case study.

In the investigated case, firstly, the shift from passive avoidant to transactional leadership style supports the implementation of a performance measurement system (PMS). Then, the further change from transactional to transformational leadership favours the development of achievement culture and the development of participative performance management practices.

This paper identifies a theoretical framework on how leadership styles and organisational culture interplay with the PMM evolutionary path, and some key practical determinants for driving the efficient implementation of PMM in justice courts.

Keywords:

• Performance management
• performance measurement
• leadership
• organisational culture
• public
• justice courts

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 https://www.mindgarden.com/185-multifactor-leadership-questionnaire-authentic-leadership-questionnaire#horizontalTab3.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patrizia Garengo

Patrizia Garengo is an Associate Professor of Performance Management and Business Management at the University of Padua and a research fellow at the Centre for Strategic Manufacturing, Strathclyde University (UK). Her research interests include healthcare organisations, technological innovation and organisational development in SMEs. To date, she has published over 100 papers in international journals and conference proceedings.

Frida Betto

Frida Betto is a Researcher of Management Engineering at the University of Padua. She holds a PhD in Business Management and Industrial Engineering, University of Padua (Italy) on public performance. Her research interests concern healthcare and public management, resilience and performance measurement and management.