Paradiplomacy: Review of Alberta’s Performance Measurement Policy
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2018-09-04
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Abstract
The Government of Alberta spends millions of dollars to maintain its international trade promotion and investment attraction efforts. The complex and multidimensional nature of paradiplomacy, referring to a regional government’s engagement in international relations, makes reporting international efforts challenging. The purpose of this capstone project is to provide recommendations based on a methodical cross-jurisdictional review to help the Government of Alberta improve its performance measurement policy. These recommendations aim to support the government in reporting a meaningful and consistent evaluation of its international efforts through a clearer, more rigorous and more comprehensive performance measurement policy. Findings from this project inform a series of complementary recommendations specific to Alberta’s quantitative, qualitative, and overall approach to performance measurement and management: • Recommendations for quantitative reporting include tracking and reporting more meaningful data to improve outcomes and better communicate them to the public. • Recommendations for qualitative reporting focus on better using communication tools and highlighting non-quantifiable factors to meaningfully convey achievements to the public. • While stressing the importance of internal consultation to successful performance measurement changes, the overall recommendations highlight the value of a thorough and transparent reporting methodology. These potential measurement improvements can help better inform internal policies, processes, and procedures, resulting in increased transparency and accountability and improved service efficiency and performance outcomes. Benefits also include the ability to report on economic and service objectives with greater clarity and precision. Clearer goals and reporting also provide a framework that encourages staff to work efficiently and effectively. While these recommendations may benefit Alberta, each recommendation should be thoroughly assessed in terms of required resources, potential benefits, and undesired consequences. To help the Government of Alberta in that exercise, each recommendation includes an estimate of the potential impact level and work required.
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Citation
Sandoz, D. (2018). Paradiplomacy: Review of Alberta’s Performance Measurement Policy (Unpublished master's project). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.