Use of Performance Measurement in the Public Sector: the case of the police service

Many public organisations have been under great pressure in recent years to increase the efficiency and transparency of outputs, to rationalise the use of public resources, and to increase the quality of service delivery. In this context, public organisations were encouraged to introduce the New Public Management reforms with the goal of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance organisation through a new public management model. This new public management model is based on measurement by outputs and outcomes, a clear definition of responsibilities, the transparency and accountability of governmental activities, and on a greater value for citizens. What type of performance measurement systems are used in police services? Based on the literature, we see that multidimensional models, such as the Balanced Scorecard, are important in many public organisations, like municipalities, universities, and hospitals. Police services are characterised by complex, diverse objectives and stakeholders. Therefore, performance measurement of these public services calls for a specific analysis. Based on a nationwide survey of all police chiefs of the Portuguese police force, we find that employee performance measurement is the main form of measurement. Also, we propose a strategic map for the Portuguese police service.

The impact of the digital divide on the perceived interest of an e-Marketplace to support healthcare and social care services

In a Europe increasingly aging, it is now recognized the importance and potential of the service industry for ageing well based on information and communication technologies (ICT), as exemplified by the electronic market of social services and health care, the GuiMarket, proposed by the authors. However, this new range of services requires that individuals have advanced digital skills to fully participate in society. Based on the results of a survey made on a sample of 315 individuals, this paper discusses the importance granted GuiMarket and the intended frequency of use, concluding there is a close relationship between ICT access and use that respondents anticipate making of GuiMarket and alike services.

The perceived potential of business social networking sites

Business social networking is a facilitator of several business activities, such as market studies, communication with clients, and identification of business partners. This paper traduces the results of a study undertaken with the purpose of getting to know how the potential of networking is perceived in the promotion of business by participants of the LinkedIn network, and presents two main contributions: (1) to disseminate within the business community which is the relevance given to social networking; and (2) which are the social networks best suitable to the promotion of business, to support the definition of strategies and approaches accordingly. The results confirm that LinkedIn is the most suitable network to answer the needs of those that look for professional contacts and for the promotion of business, while innovation is the most recognized factor in the promotion of business through social networking. This study contributes to a better understanding of the potential of different business social networking sites, to support organizations and professionals to align their strategies with the perceived potential of each network.

Broad and restricted scope of the concept of civil service: a multipolarização do conceito de publica nos modelos hibricos. A capacidade transformadora dos memorados de entendimento: Portugal e Irlanda

Analise do conceito de Função Publica, identificando, á partida, uma dicotomia conceptual, entre um modelo marcadamente continental(broad concept of civil service) e um modelo restrito(restricted scope of the concept of civil service), característico dos países anglo-saxónicos, aflorando a reforma da Administração Publica, na senda da New Public Management, como o caminho para a afirmação de modelos híbridos, com características de laboralização da Função Publica e de flexisegurança, que surgem como consequência da pulverização daquela dicotomia, revelando uma miscigenação entre os modelos iniciais e elementos externos, de acordo com as idiossincrasias de cada país. Posterior estudo de caso, versando sobre Portugal e a Irlanda , dois países que, são contrario do que a tradição anglo- saxónica da Irlanda faria adivinhar, partilham um conceito amplo de Função Publica(broad concept of Civil Service), apoiado num sistema de carreira(carrear sytem). Percorrerem, quase em simultâneo, o caminho de um regate económico-financeiro desenvolvido pelo Fundo Monetário Internacional, Banco Central Europeu e Comissão Europeia. Procurara investiga-se se o acordo firmado entre os dois países e a Troika, materializado nos respectivos Memorando de Entendimento e sucessivas revisões, no período compreendido entre 16 de Dezembro de 2010 e 31 de Dezembro de 2012, introduziu modificações nos respectivos modelos de Função Publica, designadamente forçando-os a uma aproximação do restricted scope of the concept of Civil Service e, com isso, projectando-os para a adopção de modelos híbridos.