Organizational transformation in subnational governments: selected technical evidence on the existence of learning

This paper addresses the concept of learning organization in public sector from the technical perspective. The „learning curve” of 10 Slovenian cities during the crisis period 2009-12 is investigated, where the focus is on outcomes and not on the processes of learning. In essence, the working concept of dynamic performance monitoring is utilized. The empirical evidence suggests that productivity of 10 Slovenian cities decreased on average during the crisis period 2009-2012, however this decrease was particularly intensive in 2010, whereas in 2011-2012 period productivity started to consolidate. The main contributor to this was technology, represented by innovation and adoption of new operating techniques and procedures. Paper addresses the concept of learning organization from the technical perspective. When the technical perspective is expanded to the social perspective, the results might suggest that innovations come in the form of the utilization of new modes of subnational government service provision.