TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose This paper aims to understand performance management as a social phenomenon by investigating the challenges of performance dialogue, a phenomenon where participants jointly interpret performance information and discuss it while identifying the actions needed to manage the performance according to this information.Design/methodology/approach The research aim is achieved by conducting an interview study. Empirical data were collected by interviewing 30 public managers in three Finnish municipalities and subjecting it to content analysis using inductive category development.Findings The research provides empirical evidence from challenges in engaging in performance dialogue. It moreover derives a comprehensive conceptual model categorizing factors inhibiting performance dialogue.Practical implications Difficulties in conducting organizational performance dialogues are better explained. The findings support the management of performance dialogue by helping practitioners to identify challenges associated to these dialogues.Originality/value This study contributes to current conversations on performance management by showing that performance dialogues are no miracle cure for problems in performance information use. Moreover, the authors demonstrate that complications in performance information use are intertwined in many ways.
VL  - 22
IS  - 2
SN  - 1368-3047
DO  - 10.1108/MBE-06-2017-0032
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-06-2017-0032
AU  - Rajala Tomi
AU  - Laihonen Harri
AU  - Haapala Petra
PY  - 2018
Y1  - 2018/01/01
TI  - Why is dialogue on performance challenging in the public sector?
T2  - Measuring Business Excellence
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 117
EP  - 129
Y2  - 2024/09/22
ER  -