Decentralization & Performance From A Social Equity Lens

Abstract

Public organizations' structure, design, and management are still challenging topics for public managers and organizations. Decisions for centralization or decentralization play a significant role in how power and authority concentrate and create different outcomes. Understanding the intricate functions of organizational structure is important as it plays a significant role in the quality of service between public organizations, their partners, and their clients. The focus of public program assessment is based on three evaluation criteria: effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. Equity has played a critical role in public administration and policy studies since Dwight Waldo introduced the New Administration perspective. This article aims to contribute to the relationship of decentralization with equity by mapping outcomes in the public sector. Based on the qualitative analyses of 119 papers chosen from JSTOR and WEB OF SCIENCE, 29 articles were chosen to determine the effects of decentralization on equity. We found that most articles relevant to our review included Health metrics that were more frequently negative. Health outcomes were also the only equity type associated with neutral outcomes. The unit of analysis also offered insight into the relationship of decentralization and equity, with regional units linked to more negative outcomes and local districts linked to a majority of neutral outcomes. This review contributes to understanding the role of decentralization of public administration in social equity.