ABSTRACT
The methodology for measuring and studying the productivity of local services can be problematic for various reasons. This chapter examines some of the reasons that can undermine the external or internal validity of any study that aims to assess the productivity of a given local authority when it comes to delivery of services. The potential weaknesses in the methodology for measuring and studying the productivity of local government raise questions about the merit and validity of productivity studies. It points out the possible dysfunction of the 'CNN effect' — the continuous reporting of global news and observations as captured by multimedia devices operated by information technology experts. The authors distinguish between the 'internally-defined basket of services' which the local authority believes itself to deliver and the 'externally-perceived basket of services', which is an imaginary frame of reference which citizens use to assess public productivity.
