@book{KuhlmannDumasHeuberger2022,
  author    = {Kuhlmann, Sabine and Dumas, Beno{\^i}t Paul and Heuberger, Moritz},
  title     = {The capacity of local governments in Europe},
  publisher = {Palgrave Macmillan},
  address   = {Cham},
  isbn      = {978-3-031-07961-0},
  doi       = {10.1007/978-3-031-07962-7},
  pages     = {7 -- 55},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {This book compares local self-government in Europe. It examines local institutional structures, autonomy, and capacities in six selected countries - France, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, and the United Kingdom - each of which represents a typical model of European local government. Within Europe, an overall trend towards more local government capacities and autonomy can be identified, but there are also some counter tendencies to this trend and major differences regarding local politico-administrative settings, functional responsibilities, and resources. The book demonstrates that a certain degree of local financial autonomy and fiscal discretion is necessary for effective service provision. Furthermore, a robust local organization, viable territorial structures, a professional public service, strong local leadership, and well-functioning tools of democratic participation are key aspects for local governments to effectively fulfill their tasks and ensure political accountability. The book will appeal to students and scholars of Public Administration and Public Management, as well as practitioners and policy-makers at different levels of government, in public enterprises, and in NGOs.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KuhlmannJaekel2013,
  author    = {Kuhlmann, Sabine and J{\"a}kel, Tim},
  title     = {Competing, collaborating or controlling? - Comparing benchmarking in European local government},
  series = {Public money \& management : integrating theory and practice in public management},
  volume    = {33},
  journal   = {Public money \& management : integrating theory and practice in public management},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group},
  address   = {Abingdon},
  issn      = {0954-0962},
  doi       = {10.1080/09540962.2013.799815},
  pages     = {269 -- 276},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {The way that local authorities in OECD countries compare and benchmark their performance varies widely. This paper explains some of the reasons behind the variations. The current local government benchmarking schemes in Europe their governance, coverage and impactlargely depend on the institutional characteristics of the respective administrative and local government systems (in other words, the starting conditions). There are signs that, as a result of the fiscal crisis in Europe and need to cut public sector costs, many countries (but not England and Wales) are leaning towards compulsory large-scale benchmarking projects.},
  language  = {en}
}