Performance Management in the Public Sector
3rd Edition
Published on 28. November 2025
260 pages
978-1-040-42742-2 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
"The book's theme of measuring, managing and improving the performance of government agencies is of continuous high relevance. The way Wouter Van Dooren, Geert Bouckaert and John Halligan present a comprehensive and balanced understanding of performance management and how they address key questions of its practical implementation make the book a standard reference for both public management academics and practitioners. The book is especially suited for use in executive education and engagement with public managers. I am very glad to see the updates of the third edition."Gerhard Hammerschmid, Professor of Public and Financial Management, Hertie School, The University of Governance in Berlin
"I am thrilled to see the latest edition of Performance Management in the Public Sector. While the previous editions were already considered a must-have for researchers, students, and practitioners, this new edition must also be added to the collection. The authors have significantly refined the content, updating the book with the latest on the process and outcome of utilization of performance measurement, incorporating cutting-edge research and new case studies that will support theory and practice even during these turbulent times."
Patria de Lancer Julnes, Ph.D., Rosenthal Endowed Professor and School Director, Immediate Past President, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
"This revised third edition is excellent and continues as a mainstay in performance management. It has updated and new international examples, incorporates cutting-edge research, and is written for western and non-western readers alike. The writing is perfect, sharp and clear. It has everything that public managers and scholars need to know. I will surely use it in my classes!"
Evan Berman, Professor Titular, Sao Paulo School of Business Administration (EAESP), Fundacao Getulio Vargas (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
More details
Series
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
46 Tables, black and white; 18 Line drawings, black and white; 18 Illustrations, black and white
File size
3,02 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-42742-2 (9781040427422)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Wouter van Dooren | Geert Bouckaert | John Halligan
Performance Management in the Public Sector
Book
approx. 11/2025
3rd Edition
Routledge
€70.60
Not yet published
Wouter van Dooren | Geert Bouckaert | John Halligan
Performance Management in the Public Sector
Book
approx. 11/2025
3rd Edition
Routledge
€206.50
Not yet published
Persons
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.
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.
Content
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
