The Ashgate Research Companion to New Public Management

by Christensen,Tom

• ISBN13: 9780754678069
• ISBN10: 0754678067
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-12-28
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This collection provides a comprehensive, state-of-the art review of current research in the field of New Public Management (NPM) reform. Aimed primarily at a readership with a special interest in contemporary public-sector reforms, The Ashgate Research Companion to New Public Management offers a refreshing and up-to-date analysis of key issues of modern administrative reforms. This volume comprises a general introduction and twenty-nine chapters divided into six thematic sessions, each with chapters ranging across a variety of crucial topics in the field of New Public Management reforms and beyond. The principal themes to be addressed are: - Part 1 focuses on the processes and driving forces examining the 'why' question. Basic theoretical foundations are discussed as well as considering the importance of institutional environments, copying, diffusion and translation of reform ideas and solutions among countries - Part 2 examines the question of convergence or divergence among countries. Four families of countries with different state traditions are examined: Anglo-Saxon countries, Continental Europe, Asian countries and Scandinavia. - Part 3 addresses developments in specific sectors and policy areas such as the 'soft' welfare sector where reforms have taken place in the hospital system, universities and the welfare administration, and the 'harder' sectors like the regulation of utilities in areas such as telecommunications and energy. - Part 4 focuses on specific features and components of NPM including structural devolution, autonomy, performance management, competition and privatization and public-private partnerships. - Part 5 raises the important question of the effects and implications of NPM reforms. This section analyzes both the more direct and the narrower effects on efficiency and the broader impact on democracy, trust and public sector values. - Part 6 goes beyond the NPM movement and asks what new trends are occurring. Questions are examined by focusing on whole-of-government initiatives, Neo-Weberian models and new public governance as a new trend. Covering not only the NPM movement in general but also the driving forces behind the reform and its various trajectories and special features, this important contribution is essential reading for students and anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of administrative reform.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	p. ix
List of Tables	p. xi
List of Contributors	p. xiii
Preface	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
NPM Processes: Driving Forces
Basic NPM Ideas and their Development	p. 17
The Political-Administrative Design of NPM	p. 33
The Relevance of Culture for NPM	p. 47
New Public Organisations: A Revivalist Movement	p. 65
Convergence and Divergence among Countries
NPM in Anglo-Saxon Countries	p. 83
Public Management Reform in Continental Europe: National Distinctiveness	p. 97
NPM in Scandinavia	p. 113
NPM in Asian Countries	p. 131
Sector Studies
Healthcare States and Medical Professions: The Challenges from NPM	p. 147
NPM, Network Governance and the University as a Changing Professional Organization	p. 161
NPM Ideas and Social Welfare Administration	p. 177
Utility Regulation and NPM	p. 193
NPM Features
Structural Devolution to Agencies	p. 209
Managing Performance and Auditing Performance	p. 223
Managerialism and Models of Management	p. 237
Privatization	p. 251
A Transformative Perspective on Public-Private Partnerships	p. 265
Effects and Implications of NPM
NPM and the Search for Efficiency	p. 281
Unions, Corporatist Participation and NPM	p. 295
NPM: Restoring the Public Trust through Creating Distrust?	p. 309
Scientization	p. 321
An Aftermath of NPM: Regained Relevance of Public Values and Public Service Motivation	p. 335
Serving the Public? Users, Consumers and the Limits of NPM	p. 349
Responses to NPM: From Input Democracy to Output Democracy	p. 361
Normativity and NPM: A Need for Some Theoretical Coherence	p. 375
NPM and Beyond
Beyond NPM? Some Development Features	p. 391
Reinventing Weber: The Role of Institutions in Creating Social Trust	p. 405
Public Governance and Public Services: A 'Brave New World' or New Wine in Old Bottles?	p. 417
References	p. 431
Index	p. 495
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