Modernity, modernization and the de-institutionalisation of incremental budgeting in local government
Modernity, modernization and the de-institutionalisation of incremental budgeting in local government
Governmental reform programs in the UK have a long history of failed attempts to end incrementalism in local government budgeting. Drawing on structuration theory, incrementalism is presented as institutionalized organizational behaviour. From this perspective, the recent New Labour reform agenda may be interpreted via a theory of de-institutionalization. The approach is illustrated through an analysis of recent developments in a large UK metropolitan authority where new political structures, inspection regimes and regulatory pressures are beginning to challenge incrementalism. A new belief in the measurability of public sector performance seems to be legitimized by a post-bureaucratic modernity rather than any significant technical innovations.
incrementalism, deinstitutionalization, structuration, modernization, modernity
93-116
Seal, Willie
7a7ad0ae-0dfc-4863-901b-7954ca7302fd
May 2003
Seal, Willie
7a7ad0ae-0dfc-4863-901b-7954ca7302fd
Seal, Willie
(2003)
Modernity, modernization and the de-institutionalisation of incremental budgeting in local government.
Financial Accountability and Management, 19 (2), .
(doi:10.1111/1468-0408.00165).
Abstract
Governmental reform programs in the UK have a long history of failed attempts to end incrementalism in local government budgeting. Drawing on structuration theory, incrementalism is presented as institutionalized organizational behaviour. From this perspective, the recent New Labour reform agenda may be interpreted via a theory of de-institutionalization. The approach is illustrated through an analysis of recent developments in a large UK metropolitan authority where new political structures, inspection regimes and regulatory pressures are beginning to challenge incrementalism. A new belief in the measurability of public sector performance seems to be legitimized by a post-bureaucratic modernity rather than any significant technical innovations.
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Published date: May 2003
Keywords:
incrementalism, deinstitutionalization, structuration, modernization, modernity
Organisations:
Management
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 182619
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/182619
ISSN: 0267-4424
PURE UUID: 1c125d2c-dfec-48c6-92f7-37102250412b
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Date deposited: 18 May 2011 09:09
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:59
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Author:
Willie Seal
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