C/OM/29. Masters Dissertation. Performance Measurement and Management in the Public Sector

Performance measurement and management has become increasingly important in the public sector in recent years due to the Governments desire to improve quality and value for money for the taxpayer. In a Social Services setting, Local Authorities are now ranked according to a Star Rating System, which places them along a continuum from the poorest performers (a zero star authority) to the best performers (a 3* authority). This dissertation asked how a Local Authority could use performance measurement and management systems to improve its star rating. In so doing, the performance measurement and management systems of seven Local Authorities were investigated and contrasted to look for best practice. The results of this analysis were then applied to a single Local Authority to suggest how it could improve its star rating. This dissertation would be useful for any student who wants to know how to tackle a large dissertation with multiple methods (both qualitative and quantitative), produce a solid methodology or know more about performance measurement and management.