Accountability of Performance Oriented Contract Management

This study explores accountability relationships in innovative public programs that focus on improving performance through the market-oriented mechanism of contracting by analyzing the case of a Performance-Based Cleanup (PBC) program in Florida. Based on Romzek and Dubnick’s (1987, 1994) framework, the study shows evidence that this program mostly relies on legal and professional accountability. The case analysis also shows that contract management programs may use different accountability mechanisms depending on the degree of the emphasis on performance. This study implies that public administrators need to understand different accountability relationships when they design contract management programs and choose effective tools for implementing the programs.