Drivers of personnel satisfaction towards performance information usage : Findings from Finnish municipalities

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the drivers of personnel satisfaction towards performance information (PI) usage in the local public administration context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research approach. Data are gathered with a survey receiving 194 responses from the departments of six different municipalities that all belong to the group of largest municipalities in Finland. Regression and variance analysis, as well as analysis of open-ended comments are utilized.

Findings

A key observation is that high maturity level of performance measurement or information systems do not guarantee personnel satisfaction. Three main perspectives are found to positively affect satisfaction: use of PI in strategic planning, inter-administrative management with PI and communication of measurement information.

Research limitations/implications

Common limitations of survey studies apply. The quantitative data set could have been wider and it should be complemented with more qualitative data. Also the survey itself has limitations due to its generic nature.

Practical implications

The results indicate that managerial purpose of measurement needs to be better clarified. Greatest need for development is found in utilizing PI in resource sharing and in the analysis of current situation supportive to strategic planning.

Originality/value

The efficient use of performance measurement is a commonly acknowledged challenge. Even though PI usage has been increasingly studied, the focus has often been in separate managerial tasks. Wider approach towards performance measurement and management practices has gained less attention. This study is one of the first attempts to apply private sector originating performance measurement maturity discussion in the public sector context.

Citation

Jääskeläinen, A. and Roitto, J.-M. (2014), "Drivers of personnel satisfaction towards performance information usage : Findings from Finnish municipalities", International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. 27 No. 6, pp. 530-547. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-03-2014-0044