The administrative sciences have been dominated by a turn to managerial perspectives in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and in the spirit of this turn, 'New Public Management' (or NPM) promises to produce efficient, responsible and client-oriented public services. The reforms carried out in the pursuit of New Public Management are often accompanied by great optimism and rapid, enthusiastic steps toward implementation. Even in highly developed industrial countries, however, these fundamental reforms often overlook the political and cultural contexts of the implementing country. New Public Management in Africa: Emerging Issues and Lessons provides much-needed theoretical foundations for NPM reforms in the African context and reflects on the success of existing reforms in the development of several African states.

The individual contributions in this timely volume provide important analyses of academic discourse, practical policy, achievements, and desiderata. The book as a whole, however, provides a valuable impetus for public administration research in and on African states, 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 review of New Public Management case studies that are unavailable or difficult to find elsewhere, contributing much to the exchange between African and Western administration science research, and demonstrating that African administrative research is well-prepared to help resolve global challenges.

Table of Contents

Foreword. 1. Public Sector Management: An Introduction [Benon C. Basheka] 2. New Public Management Reform in Africa: Theoretical Review [Lukamba-Muhiya. Tshombe and Maurice Oscar Dassah] 3. New Public Management Issues in Botswana [Thekiso Molokwane and Kaelo Molefhe] 4. New Public Management Issues in Cameroon [Loraine Boitumelo Tumi Mzini] 5. New Public Management Issues in Democratic Republic of Congo [Lukamba-Muhiya. Tshombe] 6. New Public Management Issues in Ghana [Maurice Oscar Dassah] 7. New Public Management Issues in South Africa [Costa Hofisi and Tshukudu Pooe] 8. New Public Management Issues in Tanzania [John S. Kihamba] 9. New Public Management Issues in Zambia [Ilyayambwa Mwanawina] 10. New Public Management Issues in Zimbabwe [Gideon Zhou and Hardlife Zvoushe]

The administrative sciences have been dominated by a turn to managerial perspectives in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and in the spirit of this turn, 'New Public Management' (or NPM) promises to produce efficient, responsible and client-oriented public services. The reforms carried out in the pursuit of New Public Management are often accompanied by great optimism and rapid, enthusiastic steps toward implementation. Even in highly developed industrial countries, however, these fundamental reforms often overlook the political and cultural contexts of the implementing country. New Public Management in Africa: Emerging Issues and Lessons provides much-needed theoretical foundations for NPM reforms in the African context and reflects on the success of existing reforms in the development of several African states. The individual contributions in this timely volume provide important analyses of academic discourse, practical policy, achievements, and desiderata. The book as a whole, however, provides a valuable impetus for public administration research in and on African states, 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 review of New Public Management case studies that are unavailable or difficult to find elsewhere, contributing much to the exchange between African and Western administration science research, and demonstrating that African administrative research is well-prepared to help resolve global challenges.