Managerialism refers to a management approach or philosophy that prioritizes efficiency, productivity, and control within an organization. It often involves a focus on achieving specific goals and objectives, implementing standardized processes and procedures, and emphasizing the role of managers in decision-making and problem-solving. Managerialism can sometimes be criticized for prioritizing managerial interests over the well-being of employees or the overall mission of the organization.
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Google Gemini AI
May 21
Managerialism
Managerialism refers to the increasing influence of managerial practices, values, and ideas in public sector governance. It is a trend where government organizations adopt management models and techniques typically associated with the private sector.
Key Features of Managerialism:
- Emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness: Managerialism seeks to improve the performance of public services by making them more efficient and effective. - Privatization and outsourcing: Managerialism often leads to the privatization or outsourcing of public services to private companies or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). - Adoption of private sector management practices: Public sector organizations adopt management practices such as performance-based pay, targets and performance indicators, and a focus on bottom-line results. - Weakening of professional and political accountability: Managerialism can lead to a weakening of professional and political accountability, as managers are given more autonomy to make decisions without consulting with elected officials or the public. - Reduced public participation and involvement: Managerialism emphasizes efficiency and performance over public participation, which can lead to a reduction in citizen engagement and democratic accountability. - Elite dominance: Managerialist reforms tend to favor a small group of managers who have the expertise to navigate the complexities of the new systems. - Alienation of public sector workers: Managerial reforms can lead to increased workloads, reduced job security, and a sense of alienation among public sector workers.
Criticisms of Managerialism:
Critics of managerialism argue that it:
- Undermines the democratic accountability of public institutions. - Focuses excessively on narrowly defined performance indicators. - Neglects the values and principles of public service. - Creates a culture of fear and competition in the workplace. - Disproportionately benefits those with managerial skills and experience.