Based on a short analysis of the underlying ideas of state and administrative reform, conceptual schemes of selfmanagement as instruments for public-sector reforms are analysed. If self-management is to become part of organisational innovation, decision-makers will need to be well-informed about its capacity to improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency. Yet, self-management research is hampered by a lack of conceptual clarity and by an analysis of its functions in different organisational settings. Its application proves to be insignificant whenever underlying assumptions are not fully applicable.