Taylor P J, Pierce J L
Public Personnel Management, (USA), Autumn 1999 Vol 28 No 3
Start page: 423. No of pages: 30

Reports the results of a longitudinal evaluation of a performance management system, introduced into a New Zealand regional public sector organization, which studied the effects of performance planning/goal-setting and appraisals/merit pay on employee attitudes and effort. Examines the impact that the goal-setting and performance appraisals had on high-performing and low-performing employees’ attitudes; assesses the impact that disappointing appraisal ratings had on attitudes; investigates how employees receiving poorer-than-expected rating explained the rating; and evaluates the employees’ attitudes to the performance management system overall. Concludes that the study casts doubt on the effectiveness of performance management systems for increasing employee effort and improving employee work-related attitudes – the system having a poor effect on organizational commitment and attitudes to supervision, particularly among the higher performing employees. Suggests that the goal-setting component of the scheme had the most positive impact on employee attitudes, but points out that the organization had had no system for clarifying performance expectations before the introduction of the new performance management system.

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Joined up working is a long way from becoming the accepted way of doing things, but it is often the only way to get customer focus. Central departments have made little progress and most Best Value plans of local councils don’t mention it. Publicnet has found that it is happening at the local level, but usually without any publicity.Oxfordshire County Council’s ‘Crossing the Boundaries Pilot Group’ is providing a seamless interactive channel for all consumer needs and concerns. It is developing communication links between local communities, enforcement agencies, ombudsman and arbitration schemes and local and central government.

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E-commerce is rapidly moving up the public service agenda. The Electronic Communications Bill is scheduled to receive Royal Assent in April. It will provide the power to create electronic alternatives to paper based requirements such as signatures.Electronic procurement is becoming a reality with the announcement that Barclays B2B.com will go live on 7 April. Reading and Peterborough NHS Trusts are among the first clients who will use the business to business service. Barclays have teamed up with Oracle the software company and Andersen Consulting to provide the service which includes order placement and bill settlement.

Read more on E-COMMERCE RISING UP THE AGENDA…