In 1993, the Clinton administration launched the National Performance Review [NPR], a large-scale effort to create a more entrepreneurial government that ?works better and costs less?. The NPR relied heavily on the input and effort of federal civil servants. Although the rationale for the reduction was formulated in terms of performance improvement, it was as much driven by the goal of cost cutting. A similar effort took place in The Netherlands with the ?Grote Efficiency Operatie? [Operation Efficiency]. During the 1980?s, the Dutch government established six so-called ?major operations? to improve its performance and reduce costs. The history, targets, procedure and organization as well as results of both countries? efforts are analyzed. Comparison of the NPR and the GEO entails certain risks but yields insights that contribute to an understanding of efforts at public sector reform which transcends particular national contexts. Both operations began as efforts to improve efficiency but quickly became focused on personnel reduction.

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hdl.handle.net/1765/773
Department of Public Administration

Maas, G. C., & van Nispen tot Pannerden, F. (1999). The Quest for a Leaner, Not a Meaner Government. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/773