Institutionalization of New Public Management: The case of Singapore’s education system

Abstract

Despite ample studies on New Public Management (NPM), the degree to which NPM is institutionalized in practice remains largely a mystery. In this study of Singapore’s education system, the data illuminate the institutionalization of NPM, revealing that certain dimensions of NPM are more established there than in its Asian counterparts. This study examines NPM at a site outside of the liberal democracies, where, it has been argued, NPM was born. Thus, it prompts a question as to whether the type of regime influences the reception and success of NPM, calling for more empirical scrutiny of NPM practices worldwide.

Key words:

• New Public Management
• public sector reform
• Singapore
• education