Abstracts
Abstract
Public management reform is mostly presented as a rational, technical and objective process in public administration discourse. Driven by the neo-liberal ideological assault on the welfare state and influenced by the “private is better” mantra, it has been claimed, especially by NPM/Managerialism advocates, that there are superior ideas, concepts and models out there which are value free and have universal validity and application. It is also claimed that the adoption and implementation of these ideals can secure the goals of efficiency, efficacy and economy in public organization. Based on an analysis of the critical management literature however, this paper (1) explores the extent to which concepts such as visionary and strategic leadership, teamwork, empowerment and improved organizational culture which are integral to the NPM/Managerialist claims are value free; (2) contests and interrogates their universality of adoption and application; and (3) explores and examines the relevance and theoretical contributions of critical management studies (hereafter CMS) to NPM in particular and public management reform in general.
Résumé
Les réformes de la gestion publique sont plus souvent qu’autrement présentées comme des processus rationnels, techniques et objectifs dans le discours administratif. Sous l’influence de la pensée néolibérale et partant de l’idée selon laquelle la gestion privée est supérieure à sa contrepartie publique, il est parfois avancer, particulièrement par le managérialisme, que certains modèles, concepts et idées seraient à la fois universelles et intemporelles. Les notions d’efficacité, d’efficience et d’économie, les trois E, occupent une place centrale au sein de cette perspective. À partir d’une analyse critique de la littérature spécialisée, ce texte remet en question les prétentions d’universalité, d’intemporalité et de neutralité des concepts clés du nouveau management public/managérialisme, de même que de leur mise en oeuvre au Canada et ailleurs dans le monde. Enfin, la dernière section explore l’intérêt et la pertinence de l’approche des études managerielles critiques (Critical Management Studies – CMS) pour l’administration publique, notamment eu égard aux réformes administratives.
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Appendices
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