A Review of Administrative Reforms in Developing Countries: Why the Limited Success?
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 11 (2),156-177
Abstract
This study survey critical issues that have thwarted administrative reform in the power sector
with particular reference to developing countries. The study used endnote software to draw
221 articles from the database of 20 top public administration journals. However, only 86
articles were found useful after carefully sorting, and analysis. This was done to avoid
duplication and ensure relevance to the main thrust of this study. Also, practical cases were
cited to augment the conceptual and philosophical arguments of notable scholars analyzed.
Evidence from the literature revealed that lack of political will and commitments on the partJournal of Public Administration and Governance
of political actors, bureaucrats often truncates positive reform outcomes. Likewise, the
reformers poor stakeholder engagement and mismatch of goals and implementation strategies.
It is imperative to unravel problems hampering successful administrative reforms. This paper
is important to expand the horizon of knowledge (theoretical knowledge) of current and
future academics and practitioners. It also contributes to the literature on public sector
management by suggesting pre-conditions for successful reform. This study provides a better
understanding of obstacles to purposeful reform outcome in developing countries. Moreover,
it also serves as a guide to reform implementers, policy-makers, and practitioners towards
purposeful reform outcomes