Decomposing Isomorphism: What Drives Similarity in the Adoption of New Public Management?

Abstract

New public management is a major paradigm in public administration, and its widespread adoption has been explained by institutional theory. However, most studies treat adoption as a discrete event and cannot explain why some organizations are moving away in the face of isomorphic pressure. We investigate three dimensions of isomorphism—convergence, compliance, and commitment—and test their separate effects on interorganizational similarity in adopting private service delivery, a primary form of outsourcing, among U.S. local governments. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the multiplicity of isomorphism and by showing how variation occurs in the isomorphic process.

The Sequence of Isomorphism—: The Temporal Diffusion Patterns of Quality Management in Higher Education Institutions and Hospitals

“…On one hand, organizations may change to increase efficiency and competitiveness. On the other hand, they may change for reasons of legitimacy (Kennedy & Fiss, 2009;Li & Chung, 2020;Tolbert & Zucker, 1983;Yang et al, 2021). Both seem to be distinctive at first glance.…”

“…First, managementrelated studies focus on a rationalistic approach of introducing QM to health care or educational organizations, incorporating topics such as strategic management, change management, or leadership (Papadimitriou & Westerheijden, 2011;Short, 1995). Second, organizational research aims at understanding (successful) organizational change, organizational innovation, or organizational learning (Li & Chung, 2020;Wardhani et al, 2009). Third, research on institutional entrepreneurs and leadership addresses the particular roles of actors within organizational fields (Seyfried et al, 2019).…”

Institutional Complexity of Hr Practices: Challenges for Sustainable Business

“…Institutional theory, especially institutional isomorphism, plays an important role in shaping public organizations (Frumkin and Galaskiewicz, 2004). Th is theory explains to a signifi cant extent the drivers that are changing the public administration model from old hierarchal to managerialism and now to a more coordinated governance model (Li and Chung, 2018;Oliver, 1988). In public administration, institutional isomorphism not only explains the type of public agencies but also has the highest appeal in explaining the adoption of modern practices in public agencies (Panda, 2015).…”

“…Institutional isomorphism is the adoption of practices, organizational designs, and models to gain legitimacy and ensure survival (Chen and Chi, 2017; Li and Chung, 2018). Institutional isomorphism can take three forms: coercive, mimetic, and normative.…”

New Public Management and Governance: Quo Vadis?

“…On the other side, traditional public administration, as an example of organizational structure and power-relation hierarchy that performs a set of functions and obeys different authorities, retains its prestige in countries with a strong bureaucratic tradition. In these countries, rule-of-law and democratic methods, hierarchical administrative and organizational structure and impersonal relationships continue to apply, whereas bureaucracy and centralized exercise of power remain firm pillars, on which agency management is based (Li & Chung, 2020).…”