Using GPE performance gaps (the difference between actual and standard levels of performance), this article explores the relationship between the GPE outcomes of public organizations and their environmental performance (EP). We utilize Korean GPE data related to qualitative/quantitative and financial/non-financial performance indicators that the government uses to evaluate public organizations. The GPE does not cover every important environmental activity in which public organizations may engage; the EP measure can incorporate results from all environmental activities, even those excluded from the GPE. Our investigation revealed that the EP of public organizations varied according to their GPE performance gaps. Low GPE performers favored GPE-included environmental activities over GPE-excluded environmental activities, but high GPE performers engaged in environmental activities were excluded from the GPE. A negativity bias occurs when public organizations adjust their environmental activities in response to GPE performance gaps. For environmental activities excluded from the GPE, low GPE performers avoided them more than high GPE performers engaged in them. These findings indicate the importance of a well-designed organizational performance evaluation for balanced engagement in environmental initiatives. This article is of theoretical interest to academics and has practical value for practitioners.

Government relief aid policies are vitally important in response to disasters. Based on the literature on the politics of natural disasters, this article examines the effect on the election results of local governments’ policy announcements in response to a pandemic. Using data from the 2020 Korean general election with the Instrumental Variable methodology, both the announcement and the provision of relief aid contributed to the victory of the ruling party’s candidates. Management of both supply-side and demand-side relief aid policies affects election results. Lastly, the relationship between the announcement and the election is also affected by the characteristics of local governments (e.g. population size and partisanship).