Strategic management has often been seen as theoretically 'incompatible' with the political and bureaucratic character of public organizations. At the practical level, there is an increasing absorption of strategic management models in government and public services across Europe - and not without some pitfalls. Taking into account the political dimensions, not least the relationship between elected politicians on one hand and civil servants and public managers on the other, this book demonstrates the confusion and complexity surrounding the interaction between democracy, policy making, and...

This book investigates the role and effectiveness of strategic management within public governance in Europe. This book argues for the need to develop more effective multi-level governance that combines unity of strategic purpose at the European level with strategic leadership and mobilisation at the national level.