Are post-Soviet republics ready for the new public management? The case of educational modernization in Kazakhstan. Issue 2 (2nd March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monobayeva, Agipa; Howard, Cosmo
• Is Part Of: International journal of public sector management. Volume 28:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2015-03-02
• Subjects: Government business enterprises -- Management -- Periodicals; 351
• DOI: 10.1108/IJPSM-08-2014-0102
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-3558

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – Since the collapse of the USSR, former Soviet republics have embarked on public service modernization, in most instances drawing on internationally dominant new public management (NPM) principles. Are post-Soviet republics ready for these administrative prescriptions? The paper aims to discuss these issues. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – This paper discusses Kazakhstan's experience with the implementation of NPM through a qualitative case study of the country's adoption of the European Bologna higher education reforms. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – While implementation of the NPM-inspired Bologna program has produced significant achievements, there are also gaps and shortcomings. These are due to a remnant Soviet administrative practices including strong control by educational ministries, as well as incompatible organizational cultures and a tendency toward superficial formalism in the implementation process. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</title> <p> – NPM tends to be introduced in a top-down fashion as a taken-for-granted component of state transformation, without sufficient attention to the capacities, cultures and systems required for effective and accountable performance-driven administrative reform. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – Kazakhstan's experience provides crucial insights into the governance structures, professional cultures and managerial capacities required for successful implementation of NPM in post-Soviet states.</p> </sec> </abstract>