From efficiency to paradox: a tri-axial model of public value leadership in the post-NPM era

Purpose The dominance of New Public Management has waned, leaving public leaders facing complex, wicked problems that technical efficiency alone cannot solve. While Public Value offers a promising alternative, practitioners lack a coherent framework to navigate its demands. This study aims to bridge the gap between abstract Public Value theory and management practice by proposing a Tri-axial Model of Public Value Leadership that integrates normative, relational, and systemic dimensions. Design/methodology/approach Adopting an integrative conceptual approach, this study synthesizes diverse theoretical streams—including public value theory, relational leadership, and complexity theory—to construct a comprehensive framework. Rather than a traditional systematic review limited to empirical aggregation, this is a theory-building conceptual article that critically integrates 105 core theoretical contributions to address the fragmented nature of Post-NPM leadership discourse. Findings The study identifies three critical axes for public leadership in a volatile era: Normative Orientation (Social Justice), Relational Practice (Co-creation), and Systemic Capability (Resilience). It proposes that effective leaders do not choose between conflicting demands but act as paradox navigators, balancing tensions between commitment vs. compromise, innovation vs. stability, and desirability vs. feasibility. Practical implications The Tri-axial Model serves as a diagnostic tool for public managers to assess their leadership balance. It highlights the need for training in paradoxical cognition and suggests specific behavioral indicators for improving organizational resilience and social justice outcomes. Originality/value This paper contributes to the Post-NPM discourse by offering a diagnostic framework that moves beyond the efficiency-equity dichotomy. It introduces the concept of the praxis ecosystem to public sector management and provides a concrete operationalization roadmap for measuring public value leadership in future empirical research.