New Public Management

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Kumara, M. H. A.S. & Handapangoda (2008). New
public management: The level of preparedness and
implementation – A study based on the Sri Lankan
context, JOAAG, Vol. 3. No. 2
Case Study
New Public Management: The Level of Preparedness and
Implementation - A Study based on the Sri Lankan Context
M H Ajantha Sisira Kumara1
Wasana S Handapangoda2
Abstract
NPM initiatives are recognized essential components of an effective public sector.
Accordingly, in Sri Lanka different elected governments have taken varied steps to
formulate the background for and implementing NPM reforms in public sector agencies.
The objective of the study is therefore, to analyze the level of preparedness for NPM
initiatives in Sri Lanka in terms of legal provisions, organizational capacity, human
resource development, information and communication technology and political
backup. The methodology adopted is primarily qualitative.
The study found that the quality of public services in Sri Lanka is gradually
deteriorating, particularly due to the free-rider problem despite its preparedness towards
NPM. Hence, market mechanism is recommended to be the most potential solution for
the problem of free riders. Similarly, decentralization - a widely recognized element of
the agenda on NPM - is advocated to be an effective means of empowering the poor.
Keywords: citizen participation; decentralization; market orientation; new public
management; outsourcing
1 Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. E-mail: mhasisira@yahoo.co.uk
2 Department of Business Economics, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. E-mail: wasanash@yahoo.com
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Introduction
Having been characterized by a relatively large public sector instigated by the colonial
rule, today Sri Lanka is well-known for her role as a welfare state. Conversely, the
country experiences...