Abstract
The article examines the performance management and measurement system, which was introduced in 2009 through the legislative decree n. 150/2009 in the Italian ministries. Using theoretical pluralism, collected data have been investigated on the basis of a theoretical framework consisting of New Public Management (NPM), Sociological Institutionalism (NIS) and Organizational Control Theory (OCT). The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it analyses the implementation process in order to improve its comprehension. Secondly, it attempts to show the explanatory capabilities of theoretical pluralism to clarify the introduction and development of performance measurement systems. The results of the empirical analysis point out the simultaneous presence of different elements, which are crucial in the explanation of the object of study. Despite the diffusion of the reform in the ministerial reality, remarkable signals emerged about the ceremonial and superficial implementation of measurement instruments. Furthermore, regarding the relation between individuals and the performance evaluation system widespread opportunistic behaviors clearly appear which have strongly conditioned the effectiveness of the whole system.