This is the first book length assessment of outcomes from the revolutionary Next Steps executive agency reform in UK central government, part of the international New Public Management movement. Over half of the civil servants in the UK currently work in 126 agencies and this reform has been emulated in several other countries. The Next Steps reformers public interest perspective suggested improvements in economy, efficiency and effectiveness. However, extensive original analysis of budgets, performance data, documents and interviews reveals support for an alternative bureaushaping perspective from rational choice. Senior officials, keen to protect their policy work position at a time of pressure from politicians to be more managerial, passed their executive tasks to agencies. Improved economy was not achieved and efficiency and effectiveness was hampered by a lack of coordination or failure to joinup government. Oliver James assesses the prospects for agencies in the UK and beyond and mechanisms to coordinate the current fragmented system.

Binding: Hardcover;196 pages; Publisher: Springer Nature B.V.; Classification: JPQ; Weight: 496 g; Dimensions: 224 x 145 x 16

Something not quite right? You have 21 days from the day you receive it, to send something back.

Please note, we cannot offer refunds on fashion face masks, cosmetics, pierced jewellery, adult toys, and swimwear or lingerie if the hygiene seal is not in place or has been broken.

Items of footwear and/or clothing must be unworn and unwashed with the original labels attached. Also, footwear must be tried on indoors. Items of homeware including bedlinen, mattresses, and toppers, and pillows must be unused and in their original unopened packaging. This does not affect your statutory rights.

Click here to view our full Returns Policy.