Perspectives on New Public Governance: A Term Worth Legitimizing?

Purpose: New Public Governance (NPG) has gained significant attention in the public management literature, yet its precise nature and legitimacy re­main unclear. This study assesses the status of NPG and examines whether its legitimacy as a concept, theory or paradigm has been established. Design/Methodology/Approach: A two-pronged methodological ap­proach is employed: the first prong comprises a thematic-realist review of legitimacy theory, situated in relation to the literature on NPG theo­ry legitimacy; the second entails a bibliometric analysis, conducted as a semi-systematic literature review, to trace its scientific impact. The study explores whether the term ‘NPG’ indicates potential for practical appli­cation, the direction of its development and its classification within the ‘concept–theory–paradigm’ framework. Findings: The research concludes that NPG is a distinct, contemporary strand with its own characteristics and potential for theoretical develop­ment. However, scientific clarity within the ‘concept-theory-paradigm’ triad has not yet been achieved, necessitating further research. Academic contribution to the field: This study fills a research gap by po­sitioning NPG within public management and assessing its potential for further substantive development. It contributes to discussions on the le­gitimacy and trajectory of NPG as an evolving framework. Originality/Significance/Value: This is the first study to comprehensively assess whether NPG can progress towards becoming a fully established theoretical framework in public management. The findings encourage further scholarly exploration and conceptual development in this field.