Post-New Public Management in Personnel Management: Rethinking the Roles of Public Employees in The Public Sector

The New Public Management (NPM) paradigm, which dominated public sector reforms in the late 20th century, emphasized efficiency, market-oriented practices, and managerialism. While NPM introduced valuable concepts such as performance measurement and customer service orientation, its limitations have become increasingly apparent. Critics argue that NPM's focus on efficiency often leads to fragmentation within public organizations, undermining collaboration and diminishing the human aspect of public administration. This has prompted the emergence of post-New Public Management (post-NPM) approaches that seek to address these shortcomings by emphasizing collaboration, trust, and the intrinsic value of public service. This article explores the post-NPM perspective on personnel management within the public sector, focusing on the evolving roles of public employees. It argues that the post-NPM framework shifts the focus from rigid managerial control to empowering employees, fostering innovation, and enhancing public value. By prioritizing horizontal coordination and inter-organizational collaboration, post-NPM recognizes the importance of a more integrated approach to governance that leverages the expertise of public employees. This transformation not only enhances employee engagement but also improves service delivery outcomes for citizens. In conclusion, this article highlights the implications of adopting a post-NPM approach for future research and practice in personnel management. It underscores the need for a paradigm shift that values public employees as essential contributors to effective governance and service delivery, ultimately leading to a more responsive and accountable public sector.