Abstract
This study investigates cross-national diffusion of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). Two theoretical lenses are used to analyze the diffusion of performance appraisal, merit pay, the Senior Executive Service (SES), and the separation of positive and regulatory functions. The analysis indicates that most CSRA provisions have diffused more broadly internationally than would be expected based on their technical efficiency and effectiveness in the United States. Both the extent and patterns of diffusion indicate that institutional theory better explains diffusion than does communication theory. Although communication theory is helpful for explaining the early diffusion of CSRA provisions, primarily to English-speaking countries, later diffusion appears to be the result of institutional isomorphism. Regardless of which theories account for their diffusion, provisions from CSRA have diffused widely among OECD countries. The analysis suggests that CSRA has profoundly influenced civil service systems around the world.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 282-299 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Review of Public Personnel Administration |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 Sep |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Public Administration
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
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The Diffusion of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 in OECD Countries : A Tale of Two Paths to Reform. / Lah, T. J.; Perry, James L.
In: Review of Public Personnel Administration, Vol. 28, No. 3, 09.2008, p. 282-299.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Diffusion of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 in OECD Countries
T2 - A Tale of Two Paths to Reform
AU - Lah, T. J.
AU - Perry, James L.
PY - 2008/9
Y1 - 2008/9
N2 - This study investigates cross-national diffusion of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). Two theoretical lenses are used to analyze the diffusion of performance appraisal, merit pay, the Senior Executive Service (SES), and the separation of positive and regulatory functions. The analysis indicates that most CSRA provisions have diffused more broadly internationally than would be expected based on their technical efficiency and effectiveness in the United States. Both the extent and patterns of diffusion indicate that institutional theory better explains diffusion than does communication theory. Although communication theory is helpful for explaining the early diffusion of CSRA provisions, primarily to English-speaking countries, later diffusion appears to be the result of institutional isomorphism. Regardless of which theories account for their diffusion, provisions from CSRA have diffused widely among OECD countries. The analysis suggests that CSRA has profoundly influenced civil service systems around the world.
AB - This study investigates cross-national diffusion of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). Two theoretical lenses are used to analyze the diffusion of performance appraisal, merit pay, the Senior Executive Service (SES), and the separation of positive and regulatory functions. The analysis indicates that most CSRA provisions have diffused more broadly internationally than would be expected based on their technical efficiency and effectiveness in the United States. Both the extent and patterns of diffusion indicate that institutional theory better explains diffusion than does communication theory. Although communication theory is helpful for explaining the early diffusion of CSRA provisions, primarily to English-speaking countries, later diffusion appears to be the result of institutional isomorphism. Regardless of which theories account for their diffusion, provisions from CSRA have diffused widely among OECD countries. The analysis suggests that CSRA has profoundly influenced civil service systems around the world.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=57749124301&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=57749124301&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0734371X08319950
DO - 10.1177/0734371X08319950
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:57749124301
VL - 28
SP - 282
EP - 299
JO - Review of Public Personnel Administration
JF - Review of Public Personnel Administration
SN - 0734-371X
IS - 3
ER -