Management by Objectives and Results in the Nordic Countries: Continuity and Change, Differences and Similarities

ABSTRACT

In order to identify continuity or change, this paper analyzes the development processes of the management by objectives and results (MBOR) discourse over time in the central governments of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It shows that MBOR has been marked by continuity since its introduction in the 1980s, and has become a central element in the steering and management of agencies in central government in all three countries. Nevertheless, gradual changes that have altered the direction of the MBOR discourse over time can also be identified. The direction changes from autonomy and a simple MBOR system in the early years toward more control and a more comprehensive system in the 1990s, and back again toward more autonomy and a less comprehensive MBOR system in recent years. The development processes in the three countries are characterized by some differences, but seem also to share numerous similarities. Explanations of these differences and similarities are discussed in the final section of the paper.

KEYWORDS::

• change
• continuity
• differences
• management by objectives and results
• Nordic countries
• similarities

Additional information

Mads Bøge Kristiansen is a postdoc in the Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. He conducts research on performance management, public management reform, and public management in times of austerity.