Local Government Performance and Performance Leveling Policy: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Performance leveling policies are increasingly adopted in the public sector as tools to enhance accountability, effectiveness, and results-oriented approaches in local government implementation. However, empirical evidence on the extent to which these policies actually improve local government performance remains mixed and has not been thoroughly analyzed. This study aims to systematically review the scientific literature on performance leveling policies and their effects on local government performance by using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method. Following PRISMA guidelines, the study identifies, filters, and analyzes relevant academic articles from reputable international databases. A thematic approach is used to identify conceptual patterns, success factors for policy implementation, and research gaps. The findings indicate that performance leveling policies can improve local government performance by strengthening accountability systems, clarifying performance indicators, and aligning organizational goals. Nevertheless, the success of these policies depends heavily on institutional capacity, bureaucratic leadership, and the quality of implementation at the organizational level. This research adds to the public sector performance management literature by providing a structured conceptual overview and offering policy recommendations for improving local governance in developing countries.