FORMANCE INFORMATION USE: PERCEPTIONS FROM CANADIAN UNIVERSITY STAKEHOLDERS

Germaine Chan
Mount Saint Vincent University

ABSTRACT

The use of performance information in everyday university activities is now a widespread
global trend. But for what purposes are the results of performance measurement – performance
information – used? Several frameworks for using the results of performance measurement in the
public sector have been proposed. Although there are some similarities in the frameworks, there
are also some distinct differences. As well, there is little empirical research on what drives the use
of performance information in the higher education sector. This exploratory study fills this gap by
examining the drivers of performance information use as perceived by higher education internal
stakeholders (faculty, staff, and administrators) who use or have used performance information to
carry out their university responsibilities. Fifteen respondents identified 35 drivers of performance
information use. The results reveal that accountability, with 26 mentions, is perceived to be the
overarching driver of performance information use.

Keywords: Performance management, drivers of performance information, higher education; accountability