The Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models: A Description of the Method and an Application to the Study of Performance Management Implementation

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Lavertu, Stephane; Moynihan, Donald P.
• 署名单位: University System of Ohio; Ohio State University; University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH AND THEORY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1053-1858
• DOI: 10.1093/jopart/mus049
• 发表日期: 2013
• 页码: 333-360
• 关键词: statistical-analysis; leadership

摘要

The Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models (EITM) initiative in political science aims to improve empirical inquiry by strengthening its theoretical foundations. We review the central features of the initiative, especially its emphasis on the development of empirically useful formal theory and the establishment of a direct link between theory and statistical estimation. We then illustrate the EITM method with an application to a public administration topic. Specifically, we develop a game-theoretic model of policy implementation in order to examine the role of leadership commitment to reform in a staff's decision to use performance information. We then discuss some of the empirical implications of the theoretical model and examine a couple of them by analyzing data from a 2007 Government Accountability Office survey of federal agency managers. Consistent with the theoretical model, the statistical analysis reveals that leadership commitment is not positively related to performance information use when one focuses on low-to-moderate levels of commitment. We conclude with a discussion of our example and the potential benefits of using the EITM method in public administration research.