Exploring Devolved Decision Authority in Performance Management Regimes: The Relevance of Perceived and Actual Decision Authority as Elements of Performance Management Success

Abstract

According to performance management doctrine, successful performance management requires devolved decision authority—that is, meaningful decision authority must be placed in the hands of managers at the program level, where those best equipped with insights can make needed changes. Using both perceptual and objective information on decision authority in 62 select U.S. city and county governments, the authors find a positive relationship between devolved decision authority and reported performance management success—especially when managers both have and perceive that they have meaningful discretion.