Performance reporting: Assessing citizen access to performance measures on state government websites

Abstract

Performance measurement is common in state and local governments. However, having a performance measurement system does not guarantee that results are shared with the citizenry. This study evaluates the relative accessibility of performance information on state government websites. Drawing upon the e-government and bureaucratic paradigms developed by Ho (2002), we find that state governments are more likely to approach reporting of performance information from a bureaucratic perspective than an e-government perspective. Regardless of the paradigm used, however, locating and accessing performance information often is a difficult and frustrating process. We argue that states are missing an opportunity to better manage the government-citizen relationship when they fail to share the results of their performance measurement efforts.

Citation

Harris, J.A., McKenzie, K.S. and Rentfro, R.W. (2011), "Performance reporting: Assessing citizen access to performance measures on state government websites", Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 117-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBAFM-23-01-2011-B005