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Constitutive Effects of Performance Indicators: Getting beyond unintended consequences

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  • Peter Dahler-Larsen

Abstract

The idea that performance indicators in public management have unintended consequences is almost as old as performance measurement itself. But, is 'unintended consequences' an appropriate and insightful idea? The very term rests on an identification of intentions and assumptions about validity that are demonstrably problematic. Based on a distinction between trivial and advanced measure fixation, an argument is made for constitutive effects that are based on less problematic assumptions. Through this conceptual move, the political dimension of performance indicators is appreciated. The conceptual dimensions of constitutive effects are carved out, empirical illustrations of their applicability are offered and implications discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Dahler-Larsen, 2014. "Constitutive Effects of Performance Indicators: Getting beyond unintended consequences," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(7), pages 969-986, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmgr:v:16:y:2014:i:7:p:969-986
    DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2013.770058
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    RePEc Biblio mentions

    As found on the RePEc Biblio, the curated bibliography for Economics:
    1. > Economic Development Technological Change, and Growth > Technological Change: Choices and Consequences > Technology Assessment > Indicators for Technology Assessment

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    Cited by:

    1. Kalpazidou Schmidt, Evanthia & Graversen, Ebbe Krogh, 2020. "Developing a conceptual evaluation framework for gender equality interventions in research and innovation," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Jeongeun Kim, 2018. "The Functions and Dysfunctions of College Rankings: An Analysis of Institutional Expenditure," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 59(1), pages 54-87, February.
    3. de Kam, David & Kok, Josje & Grit, Kor & Leistikow, Ian & Vlemminx, Maurice & Bal, Roland, 2020. "How incident reporting systems can stimulate social and participative learning: A mixed-methods study," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(8), pages 834-841.
    4. Julia Heuritsch, 2023. "The Evaluation Gap in Astronomy—Explained through a Rational Choice Framework," Publications, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-26, June.
    5. Chen, Huey T. & Morosanu, Liliana & Powell-Threets, Kia & Lian, Brad & Turner, Nannette, 2019. "Assessment of the monitoring and evaluation system of a population-based program: Theory-driven evaluation approach," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    6. Elizabeth Troncoso & Francisco Ganga-Contreras & Margarita Briceño, 2022. "Incentive Policies for Scientific Publications in the State Universities of Chile," Publications, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-19, June.
    7. Loet Leydesdorff & Lutz Bornmann & Tobias Opthof, 2019. "hα: the scientist as chimpanzee or bonobo," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 118(3), pages 1163-1166, March.
    8. Alberto Baccini & Giuseppe De Nicolao & Eugenio Petrovich, 2019. "Citation gaming induced by bibliometric evaluation: A country-level comparative analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, September.
    9. Julia Heuritsch, 2021. "Reflexive Behaviour: How Publication Pressure Affects Research Quality in Astronomy," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-23, November.
    10. Fontdevila, Clara, 2023. "The politics of good enough data. Developments, dilemmas and deadlocks in the production of global learning metrics," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    11. Cinzia Daraio, 2017. "A framework for the Assessment of Research and its impacts," DIAG Technical Reports 2017-04, Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering, Universita' degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza".
    12. Alejandra Rodas-Gaiter & Pablo Sanabria-Pulido, 2020. "Management, Goal Alignment, And Performance Assessment Legitimacy: Evidence From The Colombian Public Sector," Public administration issues, Higher School of Economics, issue 5, pages 81-104.

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