A novel multi-attribute benchmarking approach for assessing the financial performance of local governments: empirical evidence from FranceA novel multi-attribute benchmarking approach for assessing the financial performance of local governments: empirical evidence from France Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-092016enThe financial health of local governments has attracted considerable interest over the past couple of decades. In this study, we follow a benchmarking perspective and introduce a multi-attribute financial evaluation model that allows peer assessments to be made, including comparisons over time, while differentiating between managerial performance and the effect of the external environment. The model is applied to a large database involving the entire population of French municipalities over the period 2000–2012 to assess how the reforms implemented over the past decade (taxation and decentralization) have affected the financial performance of local governments in France. The findings are of particular interest to both the academia and policymakers including local public authorities and central governments.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/European Journal of Operational Research2481301-317 Galariotis, Emilios Guyot Alexis Michael Doumpos Δουμπος Μιχαλης Zopounidis Konstantinos Ζοπουνιδης Κωνσταντινος Elsevier Multiple criteria analysis Local governments Financial performance Benchmarking