Gaming and the hard use of performance measurement: a New Zealand study

• Main Author: Foo, Lionel
• Other Authors: Chen Chung-An
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/71947
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Numerous studies have shown that the hard use of performance measurement may elicit gaming behaviours from public officials. However, these claims were based on anecdotal evidence. Using an empirical research method, which focus attention on the performance evaluation practices in the New Zealand government, this research finds that the hard use of performance measurement does indeed have a correlation with gaming. This study suggests that when designing incentive systems, consideration should be given to public service motivation, to ensure that the system will complement and not drive out the intrinsic motivation of public employees. In addition, data produce by performance measurement systems should not be treated as definitive measures, but rather be interpreted considering the contexts of the situation.