Public corporate governance and performance information in local utilities: the different perceptions of politicians and managers

The modernisation of the public sector has often resulted in an increased focus on performance. In this context, an intense debate has developed regarding the introduction of new tools and governance systems. Particular attention has been paid to performance management and public corporate governance with regard to relationships with both external (stakeholders) and internal (politicians and management) actors. Thanks to public corporate governance in LPUs, public administrations are able to communicate their efforts to citizens in order to satisfy public needs and, at the same time, they can better measure their performance. Political parties in many municipalities and other groups regard public corporate governance as essential to accounting for governmental activities, outputs and outcomes. Managers, for their part, need information about the impact of local public services and in order to carry out day-to-day management of municipal organisation. The paper conducts a detailed analysis of performance information use in LPUs and highlights differences in perceptions and aims among elected officials and managers. The research focuses on a population consisting of 116 local authorities with more than 5,000 inhabitants. The research was carried out through a questionnaire submitted to the manager responsible for the LPUs and to the mayor. The number of authors who have compared the information use of politicians and managers is still limited and the evidence continues to be very mixed.