A Review of Administrative Reforms in Developing Countries: Why the Limited Success?

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 part 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.