Understanding and Improving Public Management Reforms

Top-down reforms to public services often over-promise and under-deliver due to cognitive bias, restrictive social institutions, and inattention to 'quiet costs during the policy-making process'. Understanding and Improving Public Management Reforms offers new solutions to reconceive the perennial problem of public management reform.

Format: Hardback
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2024
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Why do top-down reforms to public services so often over-promise and under-deliver?

Understanding and Improving Public Management Reforms, by Thomas Elston, delves into the pressing question of good governance. Rather than solely focusing on the challenge of implementation, the book reveals that flawed policy design is often the primary culprit behind reform failure. By employing five concepts from psychology, economics, and organizational sociology, Elston offers a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to this phenomenon.

Cognitive bias, restrictive social institutions, and the neglect of 'quiet costs' during the policy-making process play pivotal roles in explaining the poor track record of reforms to date. This multidisciplinary study, written for policy professionals, service managers, students, and researchers alike, aims to reconceptualize the perennial problem of public management reform and propose innovative solutions.

Elston begins by examining cognitive bias, which refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive information in a way that aligns with their existing beliefs or assumptions. This bias can lead policymakers to underestimate the complexity and unintended consequences of their policies, resulting in over-promising and under-delivering. Restrictive social institutions, such as entrenched bureaucracies or powerful interest groups, can also hinder effective reform. These institutions may resist change, undermine policy implementation, or prioritize their own interests over the public's well-being.

Furthermore, Elston highlights the importance of considering 'quiet costs' during the policy-making process. These costs, often overlooked or underestimated, include the hidden expenses, disruptions, and social impacts that arise as a result of reforms. For instance, implementing a new healthcare system may involve significant upfront costs, but it may also lead to long-term savings and improved health outcomes for the population. However, these benefits may not be immediately apparent, and policymakers may be tempted to prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability.

To address these challenges, Elston proposes several solutions. One key approach is to involve stakeholders in the policy-making process from the outset. This can help to ensure that policies are well-designed, take into account a range of perspectives, and are more likely to be implemented effectively. Additionally, policymakers should be aware of and actively address cognitive biases and restrictive social institutions. This can involve adopting evidence-based decision-making processes, promoting transparency and accountability, and fostering collaboration among different stakeholders.

Furthermore, Elston suggests that policymakers should focus on long-term outcomes rather than short-term gains. This can involve investing in infrastructure, education, and social programs that have the potential to create sustainable benefits for society over the long term. By prioritizing long-term sustainability, policymakers can avoid the trap of over-promising and under-delivering and ensure that public services are delivered in a way that benefits the public as a whole.

In conclusion, Understanding and Improving Public Management Reforms provides a valuable contribution to the field of public management reform. By examining the factors contributing to reform failure and proposing innovative solutions, the book offers a roadmap for policymakers and practitioners seeking to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of public services. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach and considering the full range of costs and benefits associated with reforms, policymakers can create policies that are more likely to over-promise and under-deliver.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447360889