Info: Zenodo’s user support line is staffed on regular business days between Dec 23 and Jan 5. Response times may be slightly longer than normal.

Published September 18, 2022 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Performance measurement in the public sector: United Arab Emirates' (UAE) state of the art

  • 1. University of Sharjah, UAE
  • 2. University of Winnipeg, Canada

Description

There is an interest in the literature and among practitioners in the idea that public sector organizations should be managed for performance, but there is no clear agreement as to how this might be done. It is also unclear how the idea of performance can be measured. This article focuses on the critical question of what public sector managers know about performance measurement (PM), and how they perceive its potential for improving the performance of their organizations. The findings show that the overall public performance of the UAE local governments is excellent which is contributed by both financial and nonfinancial performance. Specifically, the purpose of the study is to review the performance management within the UAE public sector to assess the state of the art, and determine the present level of knowledge of PM among public managers. Finally, we suggest recommendations for managers and provide conclusions and research directions.

Notes

Journal details: https://www.abem.ca/journal

Files

JABEM-2022-V2N2-5.pdf

Files (4.0 MB)

Name Size Download all
md5:d5844b25965e8e09c6c68b8a2d30fc06
4.0 MB Preview Download

Additional details

References

  • ADCED 2008. The Abu Dhabi economic vision 2030, Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development, Abu Dhabi.
  • Baird M 1998. The role of evaluation. In K Mackay (Ed.), Public sector performance—the critical role of evaluation. World Bank Operations Evaluation Department, evaluation capacity development, Washington DC, April, 7–12.
  • BBC 2016. UAE creates ministers for happiness and tolerance. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35531174 [Accessed Sept 10, 2022]
  • Bin Taher N, Krotov A & Silva L 2015. A framework for leading change in the UAE public sector. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 23(3), 348-363.
  • Broadbent J & Guthrie J 2008. Public sector to public services: 20 years of contextual accounting research. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 21(2), 129–169. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513570810854383
  • Carroll J 2012. Agile project management in easy steps, easy steps, Warwickshire.
  • Cavalluzzo KS & Ittner CD 2004. Implementing performance measurement innovations: evidence from government. Accounting. Organizations and Society, 29, 243-67.
  • Davies C 2011. The role of sponsor, available at: www.pmi.org/business-solutions//media/PDF/Business-Solutions/ExecutiveEngagement_FINAL.ashx [Accessed Sept 10, 2022]
  • FAHR 2020. Federal Authority for Human Resources (FAHR). Employee Performance Management System. https://www.fahr.gov.ae/Portal/en/legislations-and-guides/systems/performance-management-system-for-the-employees-of-federal-government.aspx [Accessed Sept 10, 2022]
  • Fantazy K & Mukerji B 2021. An empirical study of the relationships among strategic purchasing, supply chain capabilities and performance: SEM approach. Journal of the Academy of Business and Emerging Markets, 1(1), 3-18 https://www.abem.ca/journal
  • Farashahi M & Hafsi T 2009. Strategy of firms in unstable institutional environments. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 26(4), 643-666.
  • Gall MD, Gall JP & Borg WR 2007. Educational research: an introduction. Boston: Pearson.
  • Gianakis GA 2002. The promise of public sector performance measurement: anodyne or placebo? Public Administration Quarterly, 26(1), 34-64.
  • Gianakis GA 2002. The promise of public sector performance measurement: anodyne or placebo? Public Administration Quarterly, 26(1), 34-64.
  • Halachmi 2005. Performance measurement: test the water before you dive in. International Review on Administrative Science, 71(2), 255-66.
  • Henri J-F 2006. Organizational culture and performance measurement systems. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 31(1), 77–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2004.10.003
  • Holzer M & Yang KF 2004. Performance measurement and improvement: an assessment of the state of the art. International Review of Administrative Sciences 70, 15–31.
  • Hussain ST, Khan U, Malik KZ & Faheem A 2012. Constraints faced by industry in Punjab, Pakistan Working Paper F-37030-PAK-1. International Growth Center, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom.
  • Julnes PDL & Holzer M 2001. Promoting the utilization of performance measures in public organizations: An empirical study of factors affecting adoption and implementation. Public Administration Review, 61(6), 693–708. https://doi.org/10.1111/0033-3352.00140
  • Kelman S & Friedman JN 2009. Performance improvement and performance dysfunction: an empirical examination of distortionary impacts of the emergency room wait-time target in the English National Health Service. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 19(4), 917-946.
  • Koornneef E, Robben P & Blair I 2017. Progress and outcomes of health systems reform in the United Arab Emirates: a systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 672 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2597-1
  • Lægreid P, Roness PG & Rubecksen K 2008. Performance information and performance steering: integrated system or loose coupling. How it is used, Palgrave Macmillan, Houndmills, 42-57.
  • Lee C-L & Yang H-J 2011. Organization structure, competition and performance measurement systems and their joint effects on performance. Management Accounting Research, 22(2), 84–104. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.mar.2010.10.003.
  • Lee C-L & Yang H-J 2011. Organization structure, competition and performance measurement systems and their joint effects on performance. Management Accounting Research, 22(2), 84–104. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.mar.2010.10.003.
  • Nakagawa N & Sosaki M 2021. Affordability, sociability and the reverse knowledge flow from emerging markets. Journal of the Academy of Business and Emerging Markets, 2021, 1(1), 3-18 https://www.abem.ca/journal
  • Nassaji H 2015. Qualitative and descriptive research: data type versus data analysis. Language Teaching Research, 19(2) 129–132.
  • Ohemeng FLK, Amoako Asiedu E & Obuobisa-Darko T 2018. Giving sense and changing perceptions in the implementation of the performance management system in public sector organizations in developing countries. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 31(3), 372–392. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-05-2017-0136
  • Osborne D & Gaebler T 1992. Reinventing government: how the entrepreneurial spirit is transforming the public sector. New York: Plume.
  • Ostrom AL, Bitner MJ, Brown SW, Burkhard KA, Goul M, Smith-Daniels V, Demrikan H & Rabinovich E 2010. Moving forward and making a difference: research priorities for the science of service. Journal of Service Research, 13, 4-36.
  • Sanger MB 2008. From measurement to management: breaking through the barriers to state and local performance. Public Administration Review, 68(1), 70-85.
  • SCAD 2014. Abu Dhabi statistics. https://www.scad.gov.ae/Release%20Documents/SYB-2014_V1.1_EN.pdf [Accessed Sept 10, 2022]
  • Singh SK 2018. Managing organizational change in emerging markets. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 31(1), 2–3.
  • Sofyani H, Akbar R, & Ferrer RC 2018. 20 years of performance measurement system (PMS) implementation in Indonesian local governments: Why is their performance still poor? Asian Journal of Business and Accounting, 11(1), 151–227. https://doi.org/10.22452/ajba.vol11no1.6
  • The Legatum Institute. 2021. The Legatum Prosperity Index. United Kingdom: Legatum Institute. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/legatum-prosperity-index [Accessed Aug 11, 2021]
  • Thomas P 2007. Why is performance-based accountability so popular in theory and difficult in practice? Paper printed at the World Summit on Public Governance: Improving the Performance of the Public Sector, Taipei City, May 1-3. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.451.9480&rep=rep1&type=pdf [Accessed Sept 10, 2022]
  • Van De Walle S & Van Dooren W 2008. Introduction: Using Public Sector Performance Information. In W Van Dooren & S Van De Walle (Eds.), Performance Information in the Public Sector: How it is Used (1-8). Houndmills: Palgrave.
  • Van Dooren W 2006. Performance Measurement in the Flemish Public Sector: A Supply and Demand Approach. PhD Thesis, K.U. Leuven, Leuven. https://lirias.kuleuven.be/1864578?limo=0 [Accessed Sept 10, 2022]
  • Vision 2021. Dubai: UAE Prime Minister's Office. National Agenda. https://www.vision2021.ae/en/national-priority-areas [Accessed Sept 10, 2022]
  • Wichowsky A & Moynihan DP 2008. Measuring how administration shapes citizenship: a policy feedback perspective on performance management. Public Administration Review, 68(5), 908-920.
  • Yaseen Z & Okour A 2012. Managing organizational change: decisions maker perceptions in the UAE manufacturing industry. International Journal of Research Studies in Management, 1(1), 97-108.