THE USEFULNESS OF KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS TO PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AUTHORITIES IN EAST ASIA.

The article discusses the mandated reporting of key performance indicators by public agencies to public accountability authorities in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The author suggests that the existence of these indicators in public agencies' annual reports and budget papers does not necessarily lead to their effective use for decision making. The actual utilization of these indicators for making decisions should be described as careful and cautious. They are still affective because they give symbolic benefits to the government.