The relationship between administrative reform and new public management

Abstract

A number of Western developed countries initiated administrative reform programs during the early 1980’s. The nature and scope of their reform interventions became known as new public administration (NPM). This paper distinguishes between administrative reform and new public management (NPM). It describes reform and reform interventions aimed at achieving particular goals and interventions to attain reform goals. It argues that NPM is only the utilisation of a particular style of management to effect reform goals. It concludes that South Africa must differentiate between reform and NPM initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its own public management and administration.