Performance Mangement in City Government: A Case Study

Abstract

Productivity improvement programs in the public sector have recently become a popular topic of concern among both academics and practitioners. Many methods of productivity enhancement programs have been discussed ranging from the privatization of services to improved management training. This article describes how a behaviorally-based management training program was used to increase employee productivity in a large city department. The results show that nonmonetary rewards can substantially increase employee performance. Group earned time off, individual employee time off, and goal setting and feedback were all effective for improving employee performance. These cost effective techniques saved the city over $80,000 the first year of implementation. The case study is described by the manager who conducted the project.