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The article analyzes the influence of particular instruments of the New Public Management reforms on the performance of Czech museums. We examine the impact of administrative decentralization, management autonomy, and performance management tools, using a survey, two-stage data envelopment analysis, and focus groups. Using these methods, we have been able to confirm the significative impact of administrative decentralization and substantial autonomy. However, the statistical significance of financial autonomy was not confirmed, neither was the way in which objectives are set, nor the use of quality management methods to achieve performance.

The purpose of this study is to discuss the influence of excellence in the use of performance management and quality improvements tools on performance of Czech municipalities, and especially their cost efficiency. Municipalities' performance is analyzed using data envelopment analysis focused on inputs. A quasi-experimental design is utilized and excelling municipalities are compared with two control groups. The first is represented by municipalities that use excellence models and quality improvement tools but have not been awarded a national excellence prize; the second by municipalities which do not use them. The results do not indicate any significant difference between the three groups of municipalities. This means that the excellence in utilization of performance management and quality improvement tools does not produce performance approaching that of cost efficiency.