EN
Performance measurement in public organisations became widespread after the introduction of New Public Management, with its focus on the effects of public activities. Managing by results started to be used by many countries’ local government units, which began – either on their own initiative or within the framework of national systems – to define, measure and compare the efficiency of public services. European and American experiences as regards measuring the results of their activity, including the quality of public services, are plentiful and varied. This paper presents the nature of performance measurement systems at the local level functioning in a few selected European and American countries (Great Britain, France, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, U.S. and Canada). The purpose of the paper is to identify the Polish experience in measuring local government performance against the background of foreign concepts.