Theory and Practice of Public Sector Reform

Abstract

Theory and Practice of Public Sector Reform offers readers differing theoretical perspectives to help examine the process of public sector reform, combined with an overview of major trends in the core areas of the functioning of the public sector. The book consists of three parts, the first addresses a number of conceptual and theoretical perspectives on public sector reform. It shows how different ways of looking at reform reveal very different things. The second part addresses major changes in specific areas of public sectors – 'objects of reform.’ Part three focuses on the study of public sector reform. Aimed at academics, researchers and advanced students; this edited collection brings together many of the most eminent academics in the area of Public Policy and Management seeking to link to theory in part one and insights into specific thematic areas in part two, offering readers a display of theoretical perspectives to look at public sector reform. Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Theory and Practice of Public Sector Reform Steven Van de Walle and Sandra Groeneveld Part 1: Perspectives on Public Sector Reform 2. An Institutional Perspective Johan P. Olsen 3. A Transformative Perspective Tom Christensen and Per Laegreid 4. A Principal-Agent Perspective Sandra Van Thiel 5. An Innovation Perspective Victor Bekkers and Lars Tummers 6. A Change Management Perspective Joris van der Voet, Ben S. Kuipers and Sandra Groeneveld 7. A Cultural Theory Perspective Christopher Hood 8. An Interpretive Perspective R.A.W. Rhodes Part 2: Objects of Reform 9. Reforming Organizational Structures Steven Van de Walle 10. Bureaucrats and Politicians: Reform Begets Reform B. Guy Peters 11. The Shift toward Network Governance: Drivers, Characteristics and Manifestations Erik-Hans Klijn and Joop Koppenjan 12. Management of Human Resources: Trends and Variation Sandra Groeneveld and Bram Steijn 13. Public Management Reform and Public Professionalism Mirko Noordegraaf 14. Recent Shifts in Public Financial Management Tiina Randma and Geert Bouckaert Part 3: Studying and Practicing Reform 15. Public Sector Reform amidst Societal and Administrative Shifts Kim Putters 16. Two Varieties of Administrative Reform: US vs. Europe Richard Stillman 17. Becoming a Student of Reform Frans-Bauke van der Meer, Christoph Reichard and Arthur Ringeling