Commonwealth Secretariat

About: Commonwealth Secretariat is a government organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Commonwealth & Government. The organization has 136 authors who have published 190 publications receiving 3468 citations.

Global Value Chains

Abstract: This issue of Commonwealth Trade Hot Topics highlights the features of Global Value Chains related to value-added production and trade, and points out the nature of development assistance programmes that would be most useful for capacity-constrained developing countries.

The New Public Administration: management innovations in government

Abstract: Over the last two decades there have been some fundamental changes in the working of government which have resulted in major and visible management innovations in the organizational structures and systems of government aimed at delivering greater efficiency, and more responsive and flexible public services. The innovations have led to the ‘New Public Administration’. This article identifies the innovations in thinking about the role and functioning of government; about service users; about administrative structures and about staff. The article also discusses the strategies and actions employed in the new synergy between the public and private sectors, as well as the reforms in financial planning and control systems. In conclusion, the broad objectives of these reforms have been to shift emphasis from developing plans to developing key strategic areas; to shift emphasis from inward-looking systems to developing partnerships; to shift emphasis from inputs and processes to outputs and outcomes; and to shift emphasis towards managing diversity within a unified public service. Finally, managerial pragmatism and political conviction are highlighted as essential to motivating management innovation in government. (© 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)