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NPM Can Work: An optimistic review of the impact of New Public Management reforms in central and eastern Europe

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  • Sorin Dan
  • Christopher Pollitt

Abstract

This article reviews the New Public Management (NPM) literature in central and eastern Europe (CEE) with the aim of assessing whether reforms have 'worked'. Increasingly, academics have tended to argue against the suitability of NPM instruments in this region. To understand the impact of this much-debated policy, we first propose a classification of the impacts of NPM geared to the realities of central and eastern European states. Then, we use this classification to carefully review empirical studies across the region over the past 10 years. Unlike much of the recent academic literature, we suggest that NPM can work. NPM policy has not always been successful to the extent expected and promoted, but there is enough evidence to show that some of the central ideas in NPM have led to improvements in public service organization or provision across different organizational settings. An adequate degree of administrative capacity, sustained reform over time and a 'fitting context' are the main factors that can tip the scale for the success of these management instruments. The article provides a fresh and transparent assessment of a major administrative development in a growing region with implications for other parts of the world that experience similar challenges and opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sorin Dan & Christopher Pollitt, 2015. "NPM Can Work: An optimistic review of the impact of New Public Management reforms in central and eastern Europe," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(9), pages 1305-1332, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmgr:v:17:y:2015:i:9:p:1305-1332
    DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2014.908662
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    2. Mononen, Petri & Leviäkangas, Pekka & Haapasalo, Harri, 2017. "From internal efficiency to societal benefits – Multi modal transport safety agency's socio-economic impact analysis," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 78-90.
    3. Teresa Godinho & Isabel Pinto Reis & Rui Carvalho & Filipa Martinho, 2023. "Onboarding Handbook: An Indispensable Tool for Onboarding Processes," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-21, March.
    4. Vakulenko Veronika & Mattei Giorgia, 2023. "Reforming the Public Sector in Eastern European and Former Soviet Union Countries: A Systematic Literature Review," Central European Journal of Public Policy, Sciendo, vol. 17(1), pages 55-79, June.
    5. Ochrana František & Plaček Michal & Křápek Milan, 2017. "Who are the officials in the central administration of the Czech Republic and what activities do they perform?," Central European Journal of Public Policy, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 55-66, June.
    6. Iizuka, Michiko & Vargas, Fernando & Baumann, Jakob, 2017. "Financial mechanism to invest in knowledge from natural resource revenues: Experiences from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Peru," MERIT Working Papers 2017-042, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    7. Colebatch H.K., 2017. "Policy, learning and regime change: Western concepts and CEE experience," Central European Journal of Public Policy, Sciendo, vol. 11(2), pages 2-10, December.
    8. Tomasz Michalski & Krzysztof Kopeć, 2021. "Implementation Of Monitoring Of The Quality Of Public Services At The Local Level As A Tool For Reforming Public Administration - The Polish Experience," Public administration issues, Higher School of Economics, issue 6, pages 128-145.
    9. Di Virgilio, Francesca & Capalbo, Francesco & Doronzo, Emanuele, 2024. "A bibliometric analysis of digitalization in public sector and human resources management studies. What happened to the trial court organization?," Economics & Statistics Discussion Papers esdp24097, University of Molise, Department of Economics.
    10. Dobrolyubova Elena, 2017. "Evaluating Performance of Government Inspection Bodies: A Possible Approach," NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 10(2), pages 49-72, December.
    11. Mauro, Sara Giovanna & Cinquini, Lino & Pianezzi, Daniela, 2021. "New Public Management between reality and illusion: Analysing the validity of performance-based budgeting," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(6).
    12. Ignacy Jarosław, 2018. "The Reforms In Spanish and Polish Public Administration in 2010-2015 from the Perspective of New Public Management," Management Sciences. Nauki o Zarządzaniu, Sciendo, vol. 23(4), pages 42-47, December.
    13. Dobra Bardhyl & de Vries Michiel S, 2016. "Privatization in an Adverse Institutional Context: The Case of Kosovo," NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 9(1), pages 9-30, June.

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