Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Public Affairs and Administration

Title: Citizen-Informed Performance Measurement and Reporting in Local Government: Key Factors for Effective Democratic Governance

Committee:
Dr. James A. Visser, Chair
Dr. Susan M. Hoffman
Dr. Paul M. Coates
Dr. Daryl J. Delabbio

Date: Thursday, April 28, 2011 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
112 E Walwood Hall, Walwood Commons

Abstract:
Citizen engagement and performance measurement are concepts inherently in conflict
with each other. Local government values citizen input and good governance. Simultaneously, the pressure of local government to be efficient and effective utilizing managerial techniques common in the private sector is intense. Due to challenges associated with the integration of performance measurement and active citizen involvement, initiatives in this area are sparse. There is no single model of blending governance with performance, and many attempts to do so, fail.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation awarded grants to local units of government interested in Citizen-Informed Performance Measurement (CIPM), where citizens are active stakeholders in measuring performance. The Trailblazer Grant Program, administered through the National Center for Civic Innovation (NCCI), established basic guidelines for grant recipients to involve citizens and report government performance. This program presented a unique opportunity to research local governments with similar goals and challenges of implementing CIPM guided by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) criteria. The research explored whether active citizen involvement in performance measures enhances or restricts measurement of government performance. In particular, this study confirmed the value and impact of citizen participation in the development and reporting of performance measures.
The research also investigated the view of elected officials and public managers on
necessary attributes for implementing CIPM that support democratic governance while
maximizing efficiency in the areas of organizational commitment and leadership public
management skills, citizen participation, the use of performance measures, outcomes, and
organizational experience.

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