The impact of rational and political factors on performance measurement and its utilisation: analysis of municipal governments from Mississippi

Public performance measurement and management are orthodox practices, but existing scholarship heavily focuses on large and exemplary cities. Thus, generalising lessons from large municipalities to smaller, and mostly rural, localities has been challenging. This study uses an updated rational/technocratic and political/cultural framework, focuses on municipalities in Mississippi, and examines the predictors of performance measurement and its utilisation. The results of a survey administered to local municipal officials provide support that organisational capacity is a critical factor for performance measurement adoption. At the same time, innovative culture is necessary for the utilisation of performance measures.