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Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory Advance Access originally published online on August 9, 2006
Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 2007 17(3):455-477; doi:10.1093/jopart/mul007
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org.

Performance Targets and Public Service Improvement

George A. Boyne and Alex A. Chen

Cardiff University

Address correspondence to the author at chena{at}cardiff.ac.uk.

Theories of rational planning suggest that organizational performance improves if targets for future achievements are set. We test this proposition using panel data for 147 English local education authorities between 1998 and 2003. The dependent variables in the analysis are exam results for school pupils. We find that, controlling for other variables, the extent of performance improvement is influenced positively by the presence of a target. Thus, the results are consistent with the view that clear and quantified strategic priorities lead to better organizational outcomes.

We would like to thank three anonymous referees for their valuable comments. We would also like to thank the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the United Kingdom for providing the data.


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