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Explicit reforms, implicit theories and public service improvement

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  • George Boyne
  • Steve Martin
  • Richard Walker

Abstract

A framework for the explication of the theoretical basis of public management reforms is developed. The framework is applied to the Best Value regime in UK local government. The implicit assumptions of policy makers are that the Best Value regime will generate service improvements through changes in organizational structures, processes, culture and strategy content. Empirical evidence on the relationship between these variables and organizational performance is critically reviewed, and policy makers' implicit ‘theories in use’ are made explicit in the form of a simple additive model of public service improvement. In practice the actual pattern of change is likely to be mediative, reciprocal and contingent on local organizational circumstances. However, theorizing public management reforms in this way is valuable because it provides a basis for evaluating the logic of programme design, predicting effectiveness and generating testable models of the relationship between public policies, organizational changes and public service improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • George Boyne & Steve Martin & Richard Walker, 2004. "Explicit reforms, implicit theories and public service improvement," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(2), pages 189-210, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmgr:v:6:y:2004:i:2:p:189-210
    DOI: 10.1080/1471903042000189092
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Rhys Andrews & George A. Boyne & Jennifer Law & Richard M. Walker, 2012. "Strategic Management and Public Service Performance," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-34943-8.
    2. Antonio Barretta, 2005. "The difficulties presented by cost comparison for health care trusts," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(4), pages 589-613, December.
    3. Hosang Jung & Chi-Guhn Lee & Chelsea White, 2015. "Socially responsible service operations management: an overview," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 230(1), pages 1-16, July.
    4. García-Unanue, Jorge & Gallardo, Leonor & Felipe, José Luis, 2012. "La factura deportiva. Diseño e implantación de un modelo de cálculo de costes para los servicios deportivos municipales/The Sport Bill. Design and Implementation of a Costing Model for Municipal Sport," Estudios de Economia Aplicada, Estudios de Economia Aplicada, vol. 30, pages 599-618, Agosto.
    5. Richard M. Walker & George A. Boyne, 2006. "Public management reform and organizational performance: An empirical assessment of the U.K. Labour government's public service improvement strategy," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(2), pages 371-393.

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