The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current status and challenges for local government's evaluation endeavors, and to identify future prospects. Included is a report on the session on ‘Public Sector Evaluation of Local Government’ at the First Annual Conference in February 2001.
Evaluation activities first took place in local governments, rather than the central government in the mid-1990s. An inherent centralized political leadership made the innovation possible. Administrative reform, budgeting, planning, organizational management, accountability are a few of the acclaimed purpose of evaluation. Some of these exhibit an aspect of ‘knowledge-based management’, which transform ‘implicit knowledge’ into ‘explicit knowledge’ in public organizations.
Selected presentation by Mie Prefecture, Kitakyushu City, and Mitaka City at the conference gave a vivid picture of their practices and accomplishments, and demonstrated successful management reform in three different type of local government. Some of the questions and answers are recorded.
An overall survey in 2000 to locate challenges for local government has revealed the status of Japan's local government. Based on this survey and intensive researches by the author, he hence construes seven major tasks to be solved. They are:(1) clarifying concepts and types of evaluation, (2) establishing purpose and object, (3) selection of analytic methodology, (4) improving evaluation capability, (5) transforming policy making process, (6) securing democratic control, and (7) intergovernmental evaluation. Comments and answers are given to each task. Then he hypothesizes five factors contributing to successful practice:(1) leader's understanding and commitment, (2) middle managers' cooperation, (3) relevant theoretical approach, (4) continuous efforts, and (5) external constructive criticisms and contributions.
‘Value’ in the public sector is more difficult to identify than the private sector where market mechanisms prevail. Evaluation can provide a viable means of innovation, and as such the role of professionals are crucial.
