Christopher Hood

Bio: Christopher Hood is an academic researcher from University of Oxford. The author has contributed to research in topics: Government & Psychology. The author has an hindex of 56, co-authored 165 publications receiving 18838 citations. Previous affiliations of Christopher Hood include London School of Economics and Political Science.

The “new public management” in the 1980s: Variations on a theme

Abstract: Changes in public sector accounting in a number of OECD countries over the 1980s were central to the rise of the “New Public Management” (NPM) and its associated doctrines of public accountability and organizational best practice. This paper discusses the rise of NPM as an alternative to the tradition of public accountability embodied in progressive-era public administration ideas. It argues that, in spite of allegations of internationalization and the adoption of a new global paradigm in public management, there was considerable variation in the extent to which different OECD countries adopted NPM over the 1980s. It further argues that conventional explanations of the rise of NPM (“Englishness”, party political incumbency, economic performance record and government size) seem hard to sustain even from a relatively brief inspection of such cross-national data as are available, and that an explanation based on initial endowment may give us a different perspective on those changes.

From old public administration to new public management

Abstract: This article starts by looking at the now familiar idea of ‘New Public Management’ in the light of previous efforts at managerial reform, arguing that NPM has proved a fairly durable and consistent agenda. Then the major criticisms of NPM within and outside the public service are reviewed, demonstrating the tensions and contradictions among the major criticisms. To endure, NPM must be capable of accommodating different poles of criticism by modifying its agenda, attempting to identify the areas where drawbacks in NPM methods are most salient. Finally, some future challenges for NPM are discussed: the prospect of outcomes outside the conventional distinction of traditional and modern public management styles; the risk of inappropriate cloning; and quasi‐constitutional issues about the core competencies of public sector agencies.

What's measured is what matters: targets and gaming in the English public health care system

Abstract: In the 2000s, governments in the UK, particularly in England, developed a system of governance of public services that combined targets with an element of terror This has obvious parallels with the Soviet regime, which was initially successful but then collapsed Assumptions underlying governance by targets represent synecdoche (taking a part to stand for a whole); and that problems of measurement and gaming do not matter We examine the robustness of the regime of targets and terror to these assumptions using evidence from the English public health service on reported successes, problems of measurement, and gaming Given this account, we consider the adequacy of current audit arrangements and ways of developing governance by targets in order to counter the problems we have identified

The Middle Aging of New Public Management: Into the Age of Paradox?

Abstract: По мере того как «новый государственный менеджмент» (new public management) входит в свой средний возраст, внимание ученых смещается от простого описания происходящего и априорного теоретизирования к анализу сюрпризов и парадоксов, связанных с недавними и текущими реформами государственной службы. Некоторые из стандартных аналитических концепций для изучения таких парадоксов, рассматриваемых в данной статье, находятся в русле мертонианской традиции исследования непреднамеренных результатов регулирования жизни общества, культурных теорий сюрпризов и анализа прерывности и нелинейности в функционировании сложных систем, хотя до настоящего времени литература в области нового государственного менеджмента использовала первую концепцию более интенсивно, чем две остальные. На основании изучения реформ государственного управления, которые могли внести свой вклад в появление парадоксальных эффектов, мы делаем вывод о том, что анализ таких парадоксов может помочь развитию административной науки, а также пониманию реформ общественного сектора.

A public management for all seasons

Abstract: This article discusses: the doctrinal content of the group of ideas known as ‘new public management’(NPM); the intellectual provenance of those ideas; explanations for their apparent persuasiveness in the 1980 s; and criticisms which have been made of the new doctrines. Particular attention is paid to the claim that NPM offers an all-purpose key to better provision of public services. This article argues that NFM has been most commonly criticized in terms of a claimed contradiction between ‘equity’ and ‘efficiency’ values, but that any critique which is to survive NPM's claim to ‘infinite reprogrammability’ must be couched in terms of possible conflicts between administrative values. The conclusion is that the ESRC'S Management in Government’ research initiative has been more valuable in helping to identify rather than to definitively answer, the key conceptual questions raised by NPM.

Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness

Abstract: NUDGE: IMPROVING DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH, WEALTH, AND HAPPINESS by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein Penguin Books, 2009, 312 pp, ISBN 978-0-14-311526-7This book is best described formally as a general explanation of and advocacy for libertarian paternalism, a term coined by the authors in earlier publications. Informally, it is about how leaders, systems, organizations, and governments can nudge people to do the things the nudgers want and need done for the betterment of the nudgees, or of society. It is paternalism in the sense that "it is legitimate for choice architects to try to influence people's behavior in order to make their lives longer, healthier, and better", (p. 5) It is libertarian in that "people should be free to do what they like - and to opt out of undesirable arrangements if they want to do so", (p. 5) The built-in possibility of opting out or making a different choice preserves freedom of choice even though people's behavior has been influenced by the nature of the presentation of the information or by the structure of the decisionmaking system. I had never heard of libertarian paternalism before reading this book, and I now find it fascinating.Written for a general audience, this book contains mostly social and behavioral science theory and models, but there is considerable discussion of structure and process that has roots in mathematical and quantitative modeling. One of the main applications of this social system is economic choice in investing, selecting and purchasing products and services, systems of taxes, banking (mortgages, borrowing, savings), and retirement systems. Other quantitative social choice systems discussed include environmental effects, health care plans, gambling, and organ donations. Softer issues that are also subject to a nudge-based approach are marriage, education, eating, drinking, smoking, influence, spread of information, and politics. There is something in this book for everyone.The basis for this libertarian paternalism concept is in the social theory called "science of choice", the study of the design and implementation of influence systems on various kinds of people. The terms Econs and Humans, are used to refer to people with either considerable or little rational decision-making talent, respectively. The various libertarian paternalism concepts and systems presented are tested and compared in light of these two types of people. Two foundational issues that this book has in common with another book, Network of Echoes: Imitation, Innovation and Invisible Leaders, that was also reviewed for this issue of the Journal are that 1 ) there are two modes of thinking (or components of the brain) - an automatic (intuitive) process and a reflective (rational) process and 2) the need for conformity and the desire for imitation are powerful forces in human behavior. …

Two Treatises of Government.

Abstract: All these premises having, as I think, been clearly made out, it is impossible that the rulers now on earth should make any benefit, or derive any the least shadow of authority from that, which is held to be the fountain of all power, Adam's private dominion and paternal jurisdiction; so that he that will not give just occasion to think that all government in the world is the product only of force and violence, and that men live together by no other rules but that of beasts, where the strongest carries it, and so lay a foundation for perpetual disorder and mischief, tumult, sedition and rebellion, (things that the followers of that hypothesis so loudly cry out against) must of necessity find out another rise of government, another original of political power, and another way of designing and knowing the persons that have it, than what Sir Robert Filmer hath taught us.

Modes of Network Governance: Structure, Management, and Effectiveness

Abstract: This article examines the governance of organizational networks and the impact of governance on network effectiveness. Three basic models, or forms, of network governance are developed focusing on their distinct structural properties. Propositions are formulated examining conditions for the effectiveness of each form. The tensions inherent in each form are then discussed, followed by the role that management may play in addressing these tensions. Finally, the evolution of governance is explored.

Contemporary Strategy Analysis

Abstract: Preface. PART I INTRODUCTION. 1 The Concept of Strategy. Introduction and Objectives. The Role of Strategy in Success. The Basic Framework for Strategy Analysis. A Brief History of Business Strategy. Strategic Management Today. The Role of Analysis in Strategy Formulation. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. PART II THE TOOLS OF STRATEGY ANALYSIS. 2 Goals, Values and Performance. Introduction and Objectives. Strategy as a Quest for Value. Strategy and Real Options. Putting Performance Analysis into Practice. Beyond Profit: Values and Social Responsibility. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 3 Industry Analysis: The Fundamentals. Introduction and Objectives. From Environmental Analysis to Industry Analysis. The Determinants of Industry Profit: Demand and Competition. Analyzing Industry Attractiveness. Applying Industry Analysis. Defining Industries: Where to Draw the Boundaries. From Industry Attractiveness to Competitive Advantage: Identifying Key Success Factors. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 4 Further Topics in Industry and Competitive Analysis. Introduction and Objectives. Extending the Five Forces Framework. The Contribution of Game Theory. Competitor Analysis. Segmentation Analysis. Strategic Groups. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 5 Analyzing Resources and Capabilities. Introduction and Objectives. The Role of Resources and Capabilities in Strategy Formulation. The Resources of the Firm. Organizational Capabilities. Appraising Resources and Capabilities. Putting Resource and Capability Analysis to Work: A Practical Guide. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 6 Developing Resources and Capabilities. Introduction and Objectives. Developing Resources. The Challenge of Capability Development. Approaches to Capability Development. Knowledge Management and the Knowledge-based View. Designing Knowledge Management Systems. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 7 Organization Structure and Management Systems: The Fundamentals of Strategy Implementation. Introduction and Objectives. The Evolution of the Corporation. The Organizational Problem: Reconciling Specialization with Coordination and Cooperation. Hierarchy in Organizational Design. Applying the Principles of Organizational Design. Organizing on the Basis of Coordination Intensity. Alternative Structural Forms. Management Systems for Coordination and Control. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. PART III THE ANALYSIS OF COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE. 8 The Nature and Sources of Competitive Advantage. Introduction and Objectives. The Emergence of Competitive Advantage. Sustaining Competitive Advantage. Competitive Advantage in Different Market Settings. Types of Competitive Advantage: Cost and Differentiation. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 9 Cost Advantage. Introduction and Objectives. Strategy and Cost Advantage. The Sources of Cost Advantage. Using the Value Chain to Analyze Costs. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 10 Differentiation Advantage. Introduction and Objectives. The Nature of Differentiation and Differentiation Advantage. Analyzing Differentiation: The Demand Side. Analyzing Differentiation: The Supply Side. Bringing It All Together: The Value Chain in Differentiation Analysis. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. PART IV BUSINESS STRATEGIES IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRY CONTEXTS. 11 Industry Evolution and Strategic Change. Introduction and Objectives. The Industry Life Cycle. Structure, Competition and Success Factors over the Life Cycle. Organizational Adaptation and Change. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 12 Technology-based Industries and the Management of Innovation. Introduction and Objectives. Competitive Advantage in Technology-intensive Industries. Strategies to Exploit Innovation: How and When to Enter. Competing for Standards. Implementing Technology Strategies: Creating the Conditions for Innovation. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 13 Competitive Advantage in Mature Industries. Introduction and Objectives. Competitive Advantage in Mature Industries. Strategy Implementation in Mature Industries: Structure, Systems and Style. Strategies for Declining Industries. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. PART V CORPORATE STRATEGY. 14 Vertical Integration and the Scope of the Firm. Introduction and Objectives. Transaction Costs and the Scope of the Firm. The Costs and Benefits of Vertical Integration. Designing Vertical Relationships. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 15 Global Strategies and the Multinational Corporation. Introduction and Objectives. Implications of International Competition for Industry Analysis. Analyzing Competitive Advantage in an International Context. Applying the Framework: International Location of Production. Applying the Framework: Foreign Entry Strategies. Multinational Strategies: Global Integration versus National Differentiation. Strategy and Organization within the Multinational Corporation. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 16 Diversification Strategy. Introduction and Objectives. Trends in Diversification over Time. Motives for Diversification. Competitive Advantage from Diversification. Diversification and Performance. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Appendix: Does Diversification Confer Market Power? Notes. 17 Implementing Corporate Strategy: Management of the Multibusiness Firm. Introduction and Objectives. Governance and the Structure of the Multibusiness Corporation. The Role of Corporate Management. Managing the Corporate Portfolio. Managing Individual Businesses. Managing Linkages between Businesses. Managing Change in the Multibusiness Corporation. External Strategy: Mergers and Acquisitions. Summary. Self-Study Questions. Notes. 18 Current Trends in Strategic Management. Introduction. The New External Environment of Business. Managing in an Economic Crisis. New Directions in Strategic Thinking. Redesigning the Organization. New Modes of Leadership. Summary. Notes. Index.