New Public Management in Africa ─ Emerging Issues and Lessons

The administrative sciences were strongly dominated by public administration's turn to managerial perspectives in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries, and "New Public Management" promised to produce efficient, responsible, and client-oriented public services. The reforms carried out in this pursuit were often accompanied by great optimism and rapid, enthusiastic steps toward implementation. Even in highly developed industrial countries, however, it was often overlooked that such fundamental reforms must consider not only the political and cultural contexts of the implementing country, but also the specific conditions required for any successful reforms. New Public Management in Africa: Emerging Issues and Lessons provides much-needed theoretical foundations for the NPM discussion, and reflects on the role of already implemented reforms in the development of several African states.

The individual contributions provide important analyses of academic discourse, practical policy, achievements, and desiderata. The book provides a valuable impetus for public administration research in and on African states, but it also contributes directly to policymaking by sharing findings on the results of reforms to date and adjustments required for these reforms to succeed. For public administration researchers outside of Africa, this book offers a report on New Public Management reforms in African states and information that is unavailable or difficult to find elsewhere, contributing much to the exchange between African administration science research and that of other states, and demonstrating that African administrative research is well-prepared to help resolve global challenges.

Benon C. Basheka, PhD, is Professor of Public Administration and Management and the current Vice Chancellor of Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU) in Uganda.

Lukamba-Muhiya. Tshombe is Associate Professor of Public Management and Administration at the Vaal Triangle Campus of North-West University of South Africa.