EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN BIG-CITY POLICE DEPARTMENTS

• NCJ Number: 34773
• Journal: Public Administration Review Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (MAY/JUNE 1976) Pages: 278-286
• Author(s): W G SKOGAN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc. for Public Admin
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS REPORT EXPLORES TWO FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS USED TO EVALUATE ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITY: EFFICIENCY (COST EFFECTIVENESS) AND EFFECTIVENESS (TASK PERFORMANCE).

Abstract

THESE ARE DEFINED IN TERMS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INPUTS AND OUTPUTS FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR RELATIVE PROCESSING COSTS. THE CONCEPTS ARE THEN APPLIED TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND DATA FROM A LARGE SAMPLE OF CITIES IS USED TO EXPLORE THE IMPACT OF SEVERAL FACTORS WHICH PRESUMABLY MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS. EVIDENCE IS PRESENTED THAT ORGANIZATIONAL REFORMS (HIRING BLACK POLICEMEN) AND INNOVATIONS (EMPLOYING COMPUTERS AND CIVILIANS) ENHANCE BOTH DIMENSIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)