How Public Management Matters: Strategy, Networking and Local Service Performance, 2001-2009

Abstract

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.Within the academic community the impact of management on organisational performance has become the issue that defines the field of public management. Theory and evidence increasingly suggests management shapes performance when conducted from multiple levels, directed internally at operations, targeted at various parts of the environment, and executed with particular skill. In particular, studies are slowly emerging that confirm the performance consequences of strategic management and managerial networking. However, the rapidity with which public service reform takes place means that knowledge on strategy and networking has not kept pace with practice. In this project, study of these two key functions of public management’s relationship with performance is integrated, thereby developing new theory and evidence. To achieve its objectives, the project drew together a team of international research leaders in the field and built upon existing research funded by the ESRC and the Advanced Institute for Management Research (AIM). The project led to the construction of major longitudinal datasets on strategic management, networking and performance in English local government. The datasets include survey data that covers local authority managers’ perceptions of strategy content and processes, managerial networking, and numerous other organisational characteristics. They also include secondary data on organisational environments, and multiple aspects of service performance. The principal units of analysis for the survey data are local authority managers, and for the secondary data local authorities themselves. Further information is available from the Cardiff Business School project web page and the How public management matters: strategy, networking, and local service performance ESRC Award web page.Main Topics:This study comprises the following four datasets:Best Value survey, 2001-2004Management Matters survey, 2007 Management Matters survey, 2009 Management Matters context secondary data, 2002-2008</ul