Developing a Conceptual Framework for Evaluating Public Sector Transformation in the Digital Era

When evaluating Public Sector transformation efforts in the UK during the past three decades, three waves can be identified. The first wave in the mid 1960s to the late 1970s is regarded as Traditional public administration and the second wave in the late 1970’s to 1990’s is labelled as New Public Management (NPM). The third wave began in the late 1990s and can be characterised as the post NPM or Digital Governance Era. This study aims to examine the concepts and associated factors that influence post NPM public sector transformation in the UK. Initial literature analysis found that while the post NPM era has no dominant model, a number of key concepts have emerged in the literature and policy statements that characterise the key attributes of post NPM public sector transformation in the UK. This paper attempts to conceptualise these concepts by formulating a conceptual framework for public sector transformation in the digital era.