Korea's move to e-procurement

The Republic of Korea's electronic procurement system has generated considerable benefits -- and offers lessons for other countries interested in public procurement reform.

Salary bonuses in revenue: do they work

Many revenue departments offer bonuses in hopes of improving worker performance. But such mechanisms pose enormous risks --and so require careful design and cautious implementation.

Estimating financing needs for local services in Madagascar

As more countries decentralize public services, there is a growing need to assess local service needs and available financing. A study in Madagascar offers a methodology for conducting such assessments, which should be complemented by tools that measure the efficiency and quality of public spending.

Reforming intergovernmental fiscal relations in the Czech Republic

Intergovernmental fiscal reforms are complex?they cannot be implemented in one fell swoop.

Performance-based budgeting: beyond rhetoric

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Performance-based budgeting seeks to link performance measures to resource allocations. Though such links are often weak, information on performance enhances policy debates. It also helps governments in other ways particularly if used as part of a managing for results approach.

Thailand shows that efforts to ease central controls on budgets can complement efforts to strengthen the capabilities of government agencies.

Chile's recently reformed public procurement system shows how information technology can make government more efficient, transparent, and accountable - benefiting citizens, businesses, and public agencies.

Toward more operationally relevant indicators of governance

More specific indicators of government performance, processes and institutions can contribute to better governance - with its attendant benefits for development.

As Uganda shows, well-designed surveys can give policymakers the information they need to reallocate funds and improve the delivery of services.

How can the Bank use public expenditure reviews to assist its clients in ensuring that the best use is made of a country’s resources? A public expenditure review (PER) analyzes public sector issues in general and the public budget in particular. This note looks at the role of PERs in advancing the development agenda in client countries examines experiences with these reviews and sets out an approach for improving them.