How to Improve Performance of Public Universities? A Strategic Management Approach

Abstract

Strategic management literature supposes that strategic planning and implementation processes can improve public administrations performance. However, there is little empirical evidence about this linkage and it could prevail a bureaucratic approach in strategic planning. Therefore, using one of the strategic management levers (the quality of performance measurement systems), the paper examined whether strategic planning and implementation processes of public universities actually improve organizational performance levels. At first, the performance measurement systems of n. 29 Italian public universities were analyzed from 2011 to 2014. By way of statistical methodologies (multiple regression analysis) it was examined the impact (through outcome indicators) of performance measurement systems on public universities performance. The results show a little improvement in the quality of performance measurement systems of public universities in the period considered and a positive impact of strategic management on public universities results.