activities of decentralised government offices across the
country.
The main source of data was a series of semi-structured
interviews2, lasting an average of 1 h (see Table 2). Where
possible, interviews were recorded and subsequently transcribed.
Multiple interviews were used to gather different
perspectives on the process under study at both the political
and administrative levels. For a deeper insight into
the reform context, interviews were also conducted with
actors who contributed to key legislation (policy promoters)
and with members of the organisational unit that
coordinates implementation of managerial instruments
within the central government. This body is part of the
administrative structure which supports the Prime Minister’s
work (the Prime Minister’s Office).
The interviews were supplemented with a document
analysis of earlier drafts and final versions of key legislation,
and of any documents pertaining to the translation of
appraisal and reward systems into the case-study settings
(operational manuals, policy and planning documents).
Data collection took place over a 12-month period (February
2007–January 2008). This allowed material to be
gathered from detailed interviews as well as from documents.