Organizational Performance Frameworks for the Public Sector: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Organizational performance evaluation is a central issue for organizations, whether in the private or public sector. Although many performance models exist, such as the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), the EFQM Excellence Model, or Lean Six Sigma, most were originally developed for the private sector and do not fully address the specific needs of public organizations, particularly market-oriented public enterprises. This article reviews ten major performance frameworks, analyzing their scope, objectives, structure, and applicability across different organizational contexts. The analysis highlights the strengths and limitations of these models, particularly their adaptability, their consideration of stakeholders, and their relevance for creating public value. A significant research gap emerges regarding the development of models specifically designed for the public sector, integrating social responsibility, stakeholder participation, and organizational efficiency. The study also identifies critical success factors for performance management in the public sector, including stakeholder involvement, results orientation, inter-organizational coordination, process and capability improvement, risk management, and the development of a culture of innovation and continuous learning. These contributions are embodied in a synthetic comparative table of the ten frameworks and in the outline of a hybrid public performance model structured around four dimensions. This research contributes to both the theoretical and practical understanding of performance evaluation in public enterprises, emphasizing the need for frameworks adapted to the specific context of the public sector. This review is thus structured around the following question: to what extent can existing organizational performance frameworks be adapted, or must they be rethought, to address the specificities of market-oriented public enterprises?

JEL Classification : H83, L32, M10

Paper Type : Review Article