Public Management

This insightful book provides an overview of public management research, addressing key themes like bureaucracy, autonomy, and collaboration, while reflecting on contemporary challenges.

This book offers a comprehensive examination of the current landscape of public management research. It delves into persistent themes such as bureaucracy, autonomy, markets, and collaboration. Each chapter not only introduces foundational studies but also reviews contemporary research, providing readers with a well-rounded understanding of the field.

Public Management explores the implications of bureaucracy, highlighting issues like red tape and contested accountabilities. It questions whether reforms aimed at increasing autonomy have truly liberated agencies from political interference, and whether this newfound freedom has led to better service delivery. The book also addresses marketisation, discussing how exposing public services to market forces can enhance efficiency, while also considering the risks associated with competitive contracting and privatisation.

Furthermore, the text examines the role of collaboration in public management, especially in response to the fragmentation caused by marketisation. It emphasizes the importance of both vertical and lateral collaboration among various levels of government and agencies, aiming to tackle complex social issues and improve service delivery. The concluding chapters reflect on emerging challenges in public management, including global warming and the effects of populism. Drawing from global evidence, Public Management serves as a valuable resource for both scholars and practitioners in the field.