It is practically important because many governments have experimented with its use to improve the results of government and modernise public services systems.
It is theoretically interesting from several points of view. First, we need fresh attempts to theorize the state, including attempts that take as their starting point the concept of public administration as a bureaucratic phenomenon. Secondly, there is a need to better model reform movements aimed at changing public services. Thirdly, we need theoretical studies of strategic management as a management tool; in this case theorists might see strategic management as having a modest but reinforcing effect on attempts by government to be more long term in planning and more capable of improved performance, innovation and even radical change. Fourthly, the study of strategic management could be an interesting way of framing questions about of power and the operation of checks and balances in power.
The objectives of the Study Group are to
- Encourage comparative study of strategic management in Government which is theoretically interesting and practically useful
- Agree with active members of the group topical themes, which will attract delegates to the annual conferences;
- Obtain refereed journal publications each year around the study group theme and the conference papers and to produce a monograph/book at the end of each third year.
- Enlarge its network both in Europe and beyond
As indicated by these objectives, it is intended that the Study Group will work on the publication of books and special editions of international journals.