Do State capacity dimensions differently affect policy areas performance?

Abstract

Research objective: To analyze the determinants of governmental performance, assuming that policy sectors have different state capacities and produce heterogeneous effects on their performance.  Theoretical Framework: Grounded in the neo-Weberian bureaucracy and public governance debates, the inquiry tests if policy sectors (government core; infrastructure; productive development; security/citizenship, and social/environmental) present different state capacities and produce heterogeneous effects on outputs and outcomes. Methodology: The research uses a survey applied to over three thousand civil servants of the Brazilian federal public administration to create composite variables of performance and state capacities dimensions, then descriptively compare these variables and run a multivariate regression to test the hypotheses.  Results: The paper confirms that the degree of state capacity development impacts the bureaucrats’ perception of performance and, secondly, these effects are quite diverse on the organizational outputs and outcomes. However, their variation among policy areas is not as expressive as expected. The findings reinforce recent studies that claim that governmental investment in state capacity became broader and more inclusive as it incorporated several agencies that do not belong to the classical “pocket of efficiency.” Originality: Based on an original dataset, the research shows insights at advancing the study of state capacity, governance, and public sector performance. The comparative analyzes are unprecedented as it encompasses simultaneously crucial dimensions of the public service in Brazil, such as meritocracy, autonomy, relationship, skills, resources and, accountability.  Theoretical and Practical Contributions: In theoretical terms, the paper tests essential hypotheses concerning the federal government bureaucracy and performance, mostly restricted to the international literature. It also explores the policy sectors' heterogeneity and how it affects their performance, shedding light on the need for a more inclusive and comprehensive civil service and management policy.