New Labour's management, audit and `what works' approach to controlling the `untrustworthy' professions

Barton, A (2008) 'New Labour's management, audit and `what works' approach to controlling the `untrustworthy' professions.' Public Policy and Administration, 23 (3). pp. 263-277. ISSN 0952-0767

Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0952076708089976

Abstract

Governments have a problem with the implementation of their policies in as much that most policy implementation is done by contracted agencies be they state agencies or private and third sector organizations. Arguably, the implementation problem has become more acute due to the growth of the mixed economy of service delivery. As a result, there are even more `problematic' and `off message' professionals each holding at least the potential to subvert central government's policies. This article seeks to explore these approaches to the professions by arguing that New Labour sees the exercising of professional discretion and autonomy as intransigence and, as a consequence, does not trust the professions to implement policy in the way it is conceived. Consequently, New Labour is seeking to colonize the professions and introduce organizational isomorphism by using audit and evaluation as tools to promote and ensure the `right' type of professional development takes place.

Item Type: Article
Note:

audit, drug work, New Labour, organizational control, professions, `what works'

Divisions: School of Sciences
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1177/0952076708089976
Date Deposited: 03 Sep 2020 19:16
Last Modified: 27 Oct 2022 17:05
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/13450
Request a change to this item or report an issue Request a change to this item or report an issue
Update item (repository staff only) Update item (repository staff only)