Introduction
What research has been conducted on the public administrations of the nordic countries? Are some theories and themes favored over others, or is there a trend that guides how research in this field has been and should be framed?
This paper will serve as an overview of research conducted in the field of public administrations, with a special emphasis on research conducted on the(relatively recent) history and current state of affairs in the nordic countries, with their distinct permutations of institutional arrangements and organizational environments. A recurring theme in these studies is New Public Management, and the many-facetted reforms in its wake. If there is a differing NPM-reform history or tradition in the Scandinavian countries, and wether or not the era of NPM is over, or replaced by what has been dubbed post-NPM or Whole-of-Government approaches to public administration will pose a central question to this paper.
How has NPM been implemented in the Nordic countries? Do reforms diverge or converge between the countries?, and why is it that the Nordic countries are all middling, neither early nor late adopters of NPM reforms?
The Nordic countries differ from many other “Western” countries in their governing of markets, and where one would normally find more limited regulations and a less invasive state in anglo- and american regulatory regimes, this is not the case in the nordic countries. While one has found that the effects on New Public Management reforms have fostered an increase in market orientation, the market-liberal ideals of the 80s have not been as tremendous an influence on the politics of the northern countries(Christensen, 2004:.....).
Rationale
The aim of this paper is to elucidate t...
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...inistration. London: Sage, pp. 577-589.
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The Nordic welfare state is famous around the world and especially social democrats cite Sweden when they try to push a new policy in their own country. It developed during the 20th century and started with ‘folkhemmet’ (the people’s home). A home in a good condition was seen as the basis for the well-being of the people and the state.
Grofman, B. & Lijphart, A. 2002. The evolution of electoral and party systems in the Nordic countries. USA: Agathon Press.
Blakely, G., Bromley, S., Clarke, J., Raghuram, P., Silva, E., and Taylor, S. (2012) DD131 Introducing the Social Sciences – Part 1, ‘ Learning Companion 1’, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Wright, B. E., & Pandey, S. K. (2010). Transformational leadership in the public sector: Does structure matter? Journal of Public Administration, Research & Theory, 20(1), 75-89. Retrieved from http://library.gcu.edu/
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Woodrow Wilson’s purpose in writing “The Study of Administration” is to bring awareness that the government systems in place need to be re-evaluated and improved. Wilson encourages we need to examine the history of administration set forth by others in determining certain needs to be accomplished in effective ways and methods. Wilson’s desirable outcomes for research within the public administration field are for government systems to become more productive and organized.
In the future I would like to see myself, as a continuously promoted public official who could possibly become a pro-active politician in today’s demanding political arena. To achieve this, I would like to gain more knowledge which can help me reach intellectual maturity to the latest practices adopted in the field of Public Administration. My desire for self-development in this area and curiosity to learn past and contemporary developments in different societies will help me to solve the problems easily.
...r pillars of public administration are equally important in the process of public administration and complement one another in the provision of quality public service. When public administrators have economy in mind they focus on the best combination of available resources to provide optimum public service. To ensure that public service is not limited to only a section of the public, the issue of equity is taken into consideration so that public interest is realized. Efficiency and effectiveness additionally go hand in hand in ensuring that allocated resources are used in the best possible manner to attain set goals. Thus whereas the first three public administration pillars – Economy, efficiency and effectiveness are concerned with how public service is provided the fourth and most recent addition (Equity) concerns with for whom public service is provided.
This essay discusses the radical transformation of the principles and foundations of public administration from traditional to New Public Management. Firstly the essay will attempt to define the key terms of traditional public administration and the doctrine of New Public Management. Rabin J. (2003) explains that New Public Management embodies “a process in public administration that uses information and experiences obtained in business management and other disciplines to improve efficiency, usefulness and general operation of public services in contemporary bureaucracies.“Traditional Public Administration progresses from governmental contributions, with services perceived by the bureaucracy.
Pfiffner, J. P. (2004). Traditional Public Administration versus The New Public Management:Accountability versus Efficiency. Unied States: George Mason University.
The study of public administration only continued to grow over the course of the next two decades. As the study of public administration expanded, so did the development of s...
Since its emergence as a field of study, there have been some important contributions to public administration. Its goal has always been to improve productivity which then improves workplace performance. All of the contributions have been aimed at completing the work with the highest level of efficiency and at the lowest cost.
Despite these criticisms, the reforms in public administration have had a widespread impact across this country and around the world. The principles underlying these reforms have enhanced government performance and accountability, public administration has employed various strategies to streamline management and enhance pubic service. It is important to keep in mind that while there may be significant improvement in productivity as a result of technological advances or reform, the most meaningful long-term gains will come about as a result of attention to the humans side of the organization. Successful public administration demands a successful balance between the concerns of the technical side of the agency and paying attention to people.
Even though bureaucratic administration principles were functioning efficiently for many years since its inception, it is claimed that inadequate to meet the current demands of citizens. Therefore, the New Public management (NPM) approach was developed in UK to substitute the traditional model of public administration in 1980s and 1990s as a response to the insufficiency