The Performance of Performance Standards

Arbeitspapier

This paper examines the performance of the JTPA performance system, a widely emulated model for inducing efficiency in government organizations. We present a model of how performance incentives may distort bureaucratic decisions. We define cream skimming within the model. Two major empirical findings are (a) that the short run measures used to monitor performance are weakly, and sometimes perversely, related to long run impacts and (b) that the efficiency gains or losses from cream skimming are small. We find evidence that centers respond to performance standards.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 525

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models: Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
• Subject: performance standards ; reinventing government ; evaluation ; JTPA ; Leistungsanreiz ; Weiterbildung ; Öffentliche Verwaltung ; Wirtschaftliche Effizienz ; Theorie ; Vereinigte Staaten

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Heckman, James Joseph ; Heinrich, Carolyn J. ; Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2002

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/21392
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET