New public management

Question 1

new public management

Answer 1

seeks to modernize and streamline public services by adopting private-sector management practices
- new institutional economics -> theories like, transparency in government, user
choice, prioritizing efficiency.
- managerialism -> private sector ideals
the marriage of these two schools forms the foundation of NPM’s reform doctrines, blending market-driven efficiency with structured management oversight

Question 2

Doctrinal components of NPM

Answer 2

1. professional management = active, visible, discretionay control by top-level public sector managers, persons at the top ‘free to manage’.
2. performance standards and measures = clear, quantitative targets are established to ensure measurable performance and accountability.
3. focus on output controls = NPM shifts focus from procedural adherence to outcome-based evaluations (use of rewards).
4. shift to disaggregation = large government units are broken into more manageable, product centered entities. may enter market, promoting competition public sector.
5. shift to greater competition = public services are opened to market forces, with contracts often tendered competitively.
6. private sector management practices = NPM suggests that proven corporate management practices can improve PA efficiency.
7. greater discipline in use of resources = cost-efficiency is emphasized by enforcing strict resource use policies and disciplining labor

Question 3

critiques on NPM

Answer 3

1. all hype no substance -> NPM changes the language of PA without substantive improvements
2. damages public service and doesn’t deliver on central claim
3. a vehicle to promote new managerialists instead of public good
4. claim of universality is flawed -> NPM claims it can serve diverse political environments, but critics say the principles may not adapt well to values like equity and fairness

Question 4

administrative value clusters for evaluating PA

Answer 4

1. sigma = emphizes frugality and resource optimization -> prioritizing cost-saving and lean management.
2. theta = focuses on honesty, fairness, and mutual responsibility, which can sometimes conflict with NPM’s cost cutting and individual accountability.
3. lambda = pertains to robustness and adaptability, ensuring systems can withstand crises. does not aline with NPM’s tight budgeting and compartmentalization