This open access book presents a topical, comprehensive and differentiated analysis of Germany's public administration and reforms. It provides an overview on key elements of German public administration at the federal, Lander and local levels of government as well as on current reform activities of the public sector. It examines the key institutional features of German public administration; the changing relationships between public administration, society and the private sector; the administrative reforms at different levels of the federal system and numerous sectors; and new challenges and modernization approaches like digitalization, Open Government and Better Regulation. Each chapter offers a combination of descriptive information and problem-oriented analysis, presenting key topical issues in Germany which are relevant to an international readership.

In an international context, public management arrangements differ significantly from country to country, but also regionally and locally. One reason for these differences may be differences in culture resulting in differing views of the state and its institutions. This may sound trivial, but it becomes highly important when public management reform models are proposed and transferred from one country to others, such as was (and still is) the case with, for example, the new public management. Scholars in public management as well as internationally acting practitioners should be aware of the impact culture has on the possibilities and limits of concept transfers between different jurisdictions. Having said this, one precondition for a better consideration of cultural elements in public management reforms is a better understanding of culture itself. Among the public management community, cultural theory has gained considerable attention. There are, however, other concepts for the analysis of cultural facts that may be of interest to the subject, too.
In this book, cultural influences (including organizational culture of public organizations) on public management and its reform are explored. Articles address definitions and conceptualizations of culture in the context of public management, cultural artifacts in public management, and give examples of cultural elements in public management from various countries. This volume helps to structure the discussion of cultural elements and points out approaches to study and incorporate cultural aspects in public management research and debate.
Research in Public Policy Analysis and Management is now available online at ScienceDirectfull-text online of volumes 11 onwards.

A volume in Research in Public Management Series Editor: Lawrence R. Jones, Naval Postgraduate School After the New Public Management had evolved in English speaking countries, it became a role model for the reform of public administration all throughout the world. Although there were obvious similarities in terminology used in different countries, the model was usually adapted to the cultural and political context in which it had to be embedded. This also resulted in significant conceptual differences, so that nowadays, there is no one single NPM in the world. In contrast to the original NPM model, this version puts emphasis on responsibility rather than accountability of public managers; it is strictly focused on the outcomes of public services rather than the output level; and it is grounded on the Rechtsstaat tradition of Continental European countries. Thus, the label that has been used in German ever since, Wirkungsorientierte Verwaltungsfuhrung, is consequently translated into 'outcome-oriented public management' (OPM). This book is an English version of a German classic teaching book. In its original form, it was first published in 2000 and constantly revised according to latest developments in practice. Currently, it's 4th edition is selling in German speaking countries. Written for students and practitioners in public administration, the book describes the OPM model and its roots, and it discusses benefits and drawbacks of this model in practice. It is a perfect introduction into the new thinking of outcome orientation in the public sector.

A volume in Research in Public Management Series Editor: Lawrence R. Jones, Naval Postgraduate School After the New Public Management had evolved in English speaking countries, it became a role model for the reform of public administration all throughout the world. Although there were obvious similarities in terminology used in different countries, the model was usually adapted to the cultural and political context in which it had to be embedded. This also resulted in significant conceptual differences, so that nowadays, there is no one single NPM in the world. In contrast to the original NPM model, this version puts emphasis on responsibility rather than accountability of public managers; it is strictly focused on the outcomes of public services rather than the output level; and it is grounded on the Rechtsstaat tradition of Continental European countries. Thus, the label that has been used in German ever since, Wirkungsorientierte Verwaltungsfuhrung, is consequently translated into 'outcome-oriented public management' (OPM). This book is an English version of a German classic teaching book. In its original form, it was first published in 2000 and constantly revised according to latest developments in practice. Currently, it's 4th edition is selling in German speaking countries. Written for students and practitioners in public administration, the book describes the OPM model and its roots, and it discusses benefits and drawbacks of this model in practice. It is a perfect introduction into the new thinking of outcome orientation in the public sector.