Performance Measurement and Evaluation (Published in association with The Open University)

`The collection of papers contained within the book has a number of strengths. Many of the articles are very good and provide very detailed discussions of a number of important issues of performance measurement. In addition, the mix of theoretical and practical issues of performance measurement is one of the particular strengths of the book that reflects the original intention of the authors to produce a book containing articles with "a mix of description, prescription and reflection".... this is a good book that can be recommended to a variety of readers who want to gain a broad perspective of performance measurement. In addition, each of the articles contains a rich supply of references, which are likely to provide a useful source of additional research information should any reader wish to delve deeper into a particular performance measurement issue' - Journal of the Operational Research Society

`This is a valuable collection of materials' - Ergonomics Abstracts

Increasingly, managers are assuming direct responsibility for the assessment of organizational performance, as well as contributing to that performance itself. This book provides an invaluable theoretical and practical guide to the issues involved in the measurement and assessment of organizational performance. It is a multidisciplinary volume of key readings which recognize the many and complex factors involved in performance assessment.

Part One provides a critical framework for interpreting organizational performance, with an emphasis on management control. Part Two reviews several comprehensive approaches to performance measurement and includes sector-specific examples relating the organization to its technological, economic, political and social contexts. The third part examines strategic performance in a range of economic sectors, emphasizing the importance of measurement for both policy and practice.

The book is the Course Reader for The Open University course B889 Performance Measurement and Evaluation.