Introduction

Public sector bureaucracies have been subjected to harsh criticism. One solution which has been widely adopted over the past two decades has been to unbundle government - that is to break down monolithic departments and ministries into smaller, semi-autonomous agencies. These are often governed by some type of performance contract, are at arm's length or further from their parent ministry or department and are freed from many of the normal rules governing civil service bodies.

About the Book

This, the first book to survey the why and the how of this epidemic of agencification, is essential reading for advanced students and researchers of public management. It includes case studies from every continent - from Japan to America and from Sweden to Tanzania, these 14 case studies (some covering more than one country) critically examine how such agencies have been set up and managed.