| Title |
Governmentality and performance for the smart city |
| ID_Doc |
45036 |
| Authors |
Argento, D; Grossi, G; Jääskeläinen, A; Servalli, S; Suomala, P |
| Title |
Governmentality and performance for the smart city |
| Year |
2019 |
| Published |
Accounting Auditing & Accountability Journal, 33, 1 |
| DOI |
10.1108/AAAJ-04-2017-2922 |
| Abstract |
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of performance measurement systems as technologies of government in the operationalisation of smart city programmes. It answers the research question: how do the development and use of performance measurement systems support smart cities in the achievement of their goals? Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a longitudinal case study that uses an interventionist approach to investigate the possibilities and limitations of the use of performance measurement systems as technologies of government in a smart city. Interpretations are theoretically informed by the Foucauldian governmentality framework (Foucault, 2009) and by public sector performance measurement literature. Findings The findings address the benefits and criticalities confronting a smart city that introduces new performance measurement systems as a technology of government. Such technologies become problematic tools when the city network is characterised by a fragmentation of inter-departmental processes, and when forms of resistance emerge due to a lack of process owners, horizontal accountability and cooperation among involved parties. Originality/value This paper offers a critical understanding of the role of accounting in the smart city. The ineffectiveness of performance measurement systems is related to the multiple roles of such technologies of government, which may lead to a temporary paralysis in the achievement of smart city goals and programmes. |
| Author Keywords |
Performance measurement; Governmentality; Accounting; Smart city; Technology of government |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) |
| EID |
WOS:000507576500001 |
| WoS Category |
Business, Finance |
| Research Area |
Business & Economics |
| PDF |
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