This is a book about the modernization of public governance and the development of strategic states. It focuses on six Gulf countries (United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait) and presents research findings from quantitative data analysis and comparative analysis of the trends and developments of the six Gulf states. The book analyses the workings of the governments of the Gulf States, including the way that they have tackled national development since the mid 1990s. This includes how their strategies for economic diversification have been reflected in trends in revenues from "oil rents" and whether they are still rentier states or not. Evidence is presented on key topics such as government strategies and long-term strategic visions. Careful consideration is given to reputational evidence and to the strategic process capabilities of the governments: integration and coordination of government machinery, mobilizing public and private stakeholders, evaluating, and adapting - all defined as strategic process capabilities. This examination of government is also used to study their performance in strategic results areas: the economy, the natural environment, and the happiness of their citizens. The countries emerge from this analysis as far from identical in terms of capabilities or in term of performance.

Through contemporary case studies of strategic management at work in the US and Europe, this collection shows that it can no longer be seen as a discipline for long term decisions but has become a central feature of the public sector. Individual chapters offer insights into strategic management capabilities at the national and sub-national level.

This book is an investigation into the evolving nature and consequences of strategic management in public governance. It is prompted by the practical as well as the academic interest in the application of strategic management to public governance and to the public sector. The main features of this book are its management focus, its use of published statistics and expert ratings to develop empirical insights into the capabilities and processes of strategic management in government, and its concern for practical relevance. Although this book deals with governments, it is a management book and not a political book. It is, in fact, a management book that "frames" strategic management in government as a tool of (or enabler of) the public governance process. This is relatively novel. The book's management focus has several themes, which can be summed up as comprising: the use by government of long-term strategic visions and strategies, effective management of the delivery of strategic visions and strategies, the performance of national governments, and the implications of strategic state capabilities for the quality of public services, for sustainability, and for managing strategic crises. This book will be relevant reading to researchers, scholars, advanced students, policy makers and public administrators in the fields of strategy, strategic management, and public governance.

This book investigates the role and effectiveness of strategic management within public governance in Europe. Using findings from qualitative studies, it explores the governance processes at the level of the European Union as a supranational institution, and the level of national governments. It presents empirical research that reveals fresh insights into the extent to which the public, effective government, and desirable societies are interrelated in individual Member States. Further, it enables the authors to critically analyse and develop the concept of the 'Strategic State', and to introduce the idea of 'credible government' that lays out a pathway to effective governance. This book argues for the need to develop more effective multi-level governance that combines unity of strategic purpose at the European level with strategic leadership and mobilisation at the national level. It will appeal to practitioners in addition to scholars in the fields of public policy, public management and European Union studies.

Strategic Management in Public Organizations: European Practices and Perspectives offers the first wide-ranging survey and assessment of strategic management practices at various levels of government and public service in European countries. It shows that strategic management is much more than a management tool imported from the private sector - it has become a key element of public management reforms, and European governments at all levels are developing strategic state characteristics.

Written by leading European experts on strategic management in the public sector and in government, this book presents evaluations and analysis based on empirical investigations. The book covers strategic management at different levels of government, explore the roles of different players, and incorporate theory and practice, with opening and concluding chapters by the editors that provide an overview of strategic management in the public services and a cross-societal discussion of practices, reforms, and lessons. It reflects not only developments in strategic management practices in the European public sector, but also the increasing importance of strategic capabilities for the modernization of public governance.

This book is ideal for students in postgraduate management courses (MPA, MSc, or MBA) in Europe and elsewhere."

Strategic management is widely seen as essential to the public services, leading to better performance and better outcomes for the public. In fact, the private sector idea of strategic management has become so powerful in the public sector that politicians and policy makers have begun to talk about the importance of the modern state being strategic - and we may be witnessing the emergence of the Strategic State. Strategic Management for the Public Sector draws on experience and research from a range of countries and provides a theoretical understanding of strategic management that is grounded in the public sector. Drawing on the latest theory and research this text provides a fresh look at foresight, analysis, strategic choice, implementation and evaluation. This book also offers original and detailed case studies based on up to date evidence from different public sector settings, helping the reader to build on their understanding of theories and concepts presented earlier in the book. Strategic Management for the Public Sector has been written specially for managers and students taking postgraduate courses such as MBAs and MPAs. It will also appeal to individual managers and civil servants in the public sector looking for an accessible book to read as part of their own independent personal development.

This is a book about the modernization of public governance and the development of strategic states. It focuses on six Gulf countries (United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait) and presents research findings from quantitative data analysis and comparative analysis of the trends and developments of the six Gulf states. The book analyses the workings of the governments of the Gulf States, including the way that they have tackled national development since the mid 1990s. This includes how their strategies for economic diversification have been reflected in trends in revenues from "oil rents" and whether they are still rentier states or not. Evidence is presented on key topics such as government strategies and long-term strategic visions. Careful consideration is given to reputational evidence and to the strategic process capabilities of the governments: integration and coordination of government machinery, mobilizing public and private stakeholders, evaluating, and adapting - all defined as strategic process capabilities. This examination of government is also used to study their performance in strategic results areas: the economy, the natural environment, and the happiness of their citizens. The countries emerge from this analysis as far from identical in terms of capabilities or in term of performance.

The importance of leadership in public services has increased dramatically in the past five years as politicians around the world have sought modernisation and reform. Using international case study material this book examines how ideas of visionary leadership have been developed and discusses their applicability to the public sector. The book covers: - the tensions that can arise between administrative / bureaucratic traditions and the leadership styles required today - the relationship between political leadership and organizational leadership - different approaches that have been adopted by public service leaders in organizations around the globe and their level of success - the extent to which existing theories of leadership are appropriate for a new management context. A welcome addition to the current literature, this book will be invaluable reading for students of public administration as well as practitioners and policy makers in the public services.

Strategic Management in Public Organizations: European Practices and Perspectives offers the first wide-ranging survey and assessment of strategic management practices at various levels of government and public service in European countries. It shows that strategic management is much more than a management tool imported from the private sector - it has become a key element of public management reforms, and European governments at all levels are developing 'strategic state' characteristics. Written by leading European experts on strategic management in the public sector and in government, this book presents evaluations and analysis based on empirical investigations. The book covers strategic management at different levels of government, explore the roles of different players, and incorporate theory and practice, with opening and concluding chapters by the editors that provide an overview of strategic management in the public services and a cross-societal discussion of practices, reforms, and lessons. It reflects not only developments in strategic management practices in the European public sector, but also the increasing importance of strategic capabilities for the modernization of public governance. This book is ideal for students in postgraduate management courses (MPA, MSc, or MBA) in Europe and elsewhere.

Strategic management is widely seen as essential to the public services, leading to better performance and better outcomes for the public. In fact, the private sector idea of strategic management has become so powerful in the public sector that politicians and policy makers have begun to talk about the importance of the modern state being strategic - and we may be witnessing the emergence of the Strategic State. Strategic Management for the Public Sector draws on experience and research from a range of countries and provides a theoretical understanding of strategic management that is grounded in the public sector. Drawing on the latest theory and research this text provides a fresh look at foresight, analysis, strategic choice, implementation and evaluation. This book also offers original and detailed case studies based on up to date evidence from different public sector settings, helping the reader to build on their understanding of theories and concepts presented earlier in the book. Strategic Management for the Public Sector has been written specially for managers and students taking postgraduate courses such as MBAs and MPAs. It will also appeal to individual managers and civil servants in the public sector looking for an accessible book to read as part of their own independent personal development.

In good times and bad, in the different situations of renewal, crisis, and chronic resource constraints, the strategic leadership of public services is crucial. Good leaders are essential in helping the public sector to adapt and solve 'wicked' problems, and they are also integral to the reform and modernization of public governance. This new edition of Strategic Leadership in the Public Sector continues to provide insights into useful approaches and techniques for strategic leaders, looking at: what is expected of leaders competency frameworks leadership theories techniques and processes of strategic leadership leading strategic change the strategic state emerging leadership challenges. Replete with real-world case studies and examples, and including new material from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and India, plus an appendix with practical worksheets, the book gives students a truly international outlook on the subject and offers a clear understanding of the significance of leadership, strategic management and public services reform. This textbook represents essential reading for postgraduate students on public management degrees and aspiring or current public managers.

This book investigates the role and effectiveness of strategic management within public governance in Europe. Using findings from qualitative studies, it explores the governance processes at the level of the European Union as a supranational institution, and the level of national governments. It presents empirical research that reveals fresh insights into the extent to which the public, effective government, and desirable societies are interrelated in individual Member States. Further, it enables the authors to critically analyse and develop the concept of the 'Strategic State', and to introduce the idea of 'credible government' that lays out a pathway to effective governance. This book argues for the need to develop more effective multi-level governance that combines unity of strategic purpose at the European level with strategic leadership and mobilisation at the national level. It will appeal to practitioners in addition to scholars in the fields of public policy, public management and European Union studies.

In good times and bad, in the different situations of renewal, crisis, and chronic resource constraints, the strategic leadership of public services is crucial. Good leaders are essential in helping the public sector to adapt and solve 'wicked' problems, and they are also integral to the reform and modernization of public governance. This new edition of Strategic Leadership in the Public Sector continues to provide insights into useful approaches and techniques for strategic leaders, looking at: what is expected of leaders competency frameworks leadership theories techniques and processes of strategic leadership leading strategic change the strategic state emerging leadership challenges. Replete with real-world case studies and examples, and including new material from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and India, plus an appendix with practical worksheets, the book gives students a truly international outlook on the subject and offers a clear understanding of the significance of leadership, strategic management and public services reform. This textbook represents essential reading for postgraduate students on public management degrees and aspiring or current public managers.

Through contemporary case studies of strategic management at work in the US and Europe, this collection shows that it can no longer be seen as a discipline for long term decisions but has become a central feature of the public sector. Individual chapters offer insights into strategic management capabilities at the national and sub-national level.

Using international case study material, this book examines how ideas of visionary leadership have been developed and discusses their applicability to the public sector. The book covers:

• the tensions that can arise between administrative/bureaucratic traditions and the leadership styles required today
• the relationship between political leadership and organizational leadership
• different approaches that have been adopted by public service leaders in organizations around the globe and their level of success
• the extent to which existing theories of leadership are appropriate for a new management context.

A welcome addition to the current literature, this book will be invaluable reading for students of public administration as well as practitioners and policy makers in the public services.

Jamie Walton performs three suites for solo cello composed by Benjamin Britten. His performance is captured in Blythburgh's Holy Trinity Church in Suffolk, England.