The Many Purposes of Performance Evaluation

Abstract

In the public sector evaluation is frequently described as the development of operations and a tool for management. The significance of its use in directing information from the state to the municipalities and as a form of management of networks of actors is an increasingly important feature. Thus we can contemplate evaluation as a policy mechanism. When financing local welfare services the state will, naturally, become more interested in the performance of their functions. In the relations between the state and the municipalities the direction of evaluation can be considered as a new form of direction. Common performance evaluation is discussed, but is it even feasible, given that the area of application of evaluation information and the conceptions of meanings differ so greatly?

Keywords:

• performance evaluation
• directing
• public sector
• municipalities
• local social services

Notes

Using performance evaluation in municipal work organisations. Recommendation. Local authority employees in Finland Circular 15 Kaplan R. S. Norton D. P. Harvard Business School Press Boston (2000)(1996). The balanced scorecard. Translating strategy into action.

6. The research project on performance evaluation of municipal services, entitled KARTUKE 2002–2005 was a joint multidisciplinary effort by four universities. It involved the University of Lapland (in Rovaniemi), the University of Joensuu, the University of Tampere, and the University of Kuopio. This national research program was financed by the Finnish Work Environment Fund.

7. The Finnish Local Government Act 1995/356, 1§. Lääninhallituslain muutos 348/2000. [Amendment to the Lääninhallituslaki 348/2000].

11. The Finnish Local Government Act 1995/356, 71§. Lääninhallituslain muutos 348/2000. [Amendment to the Lääninhallituslaki 348/2000].

12. Vedung, op. cit.

13. Ibid.

14. PolCIT0015litt, & Bouckeart, op. cit.

18. Ibid.

23. Amendment to the Lääninhallituslaki 348/2000.

27. Oulasvirta et al., op. cit.

28. Vedung, op. cit.

35. Ibid.