O’Connor, Karl (2017). Traditions of administrative reform: Mixed messages and epistemic communities in Eurasia. The Q methodological analysis of the norms, beliefs and values of hub participants [A report of the ACSH Innovative Solutions Scheme]. Astana, Kazakhstan: Astana Civil Service Hub (ACSH). 36 pp. (Link: http://www.astanacivilservicehub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Traditions-of-administrative-reformENG.pdf)
Overview: Substantial evidence exists to demonstrate that the roles adopted by our senior bureaucratic officials dictate how policies are skewed, employed or implemented. While it is most important to get the policy design right, we need also to get the system of public administration right. This report draws on original research to highlight how a transnational network in Eurasia is facilitating policy learning across countries at very different economic, social and political development stages. The findings should be of interest to those involved in other emerging regional cooperation initiatives and to those interested in developing administrative capacity. The report identifies typologies of bureaucrat distinguished by their perceptions of new public management, new public governance and the craft of public administration.
The publication has been prepared as a result of the Innovative Solutions Scheme, organised by the Regional Hub of Civil Service in Astana in 2015 to identify, disseminate and assist in replicating the most successful innovative solutions in public administration and disseminate this knowledge among participating countries of the Hub.
The first round of the Scheme resulted in preparation of six projects aimed at modernizing public administration and improving public service delivery.
Karl O’Connor <k.oconnor@ulster.ac.uk> is a member of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, UK.
