ABSTRACT
The term New Public Management (NPM) is used internationally in academic, governmental and organizational discussions, but it is rarely defined. In this chapter it is defined in three ways. First, as a movement; that is a set of beliefs or ideology from which actions followed in anticipation of particular consequences. It emerged in the 1980s among politicians and their advisers in countries where governments, at national, regional or local level, had strong traditions of directly organizing, providing and managing publicly funded, public services. Second, as a subject for study and commentary by academics. Third, as a set of practices that can be observed in recent public sector reform. This chapter assesses New Public Management after two decades which have seen its expansion and diversification in each of these three guises. Our aim is to reflect on the developments in NPM in terms of what it means for commentators on, and practitioners in, public services.
