Graham D Bowrey

An 1831 discussion on New Public Management

The purpose of this article is to present an argument supporting the view that the ideology driving the notion of New Public Management (NPM) is not a new or recent aspect of public sector financial reform. Rather, back in the early nineteenth century, significant public discussions were exploring the pros and cons of various financial reforms based on this ideology. The research approach taken in this study is based on a semi-fictitious conversation created between key early nineteenth century public commentators, Sir Henry Parnell and Sir Samuel Bentham. The conversation is constructed through a reflection of the key themes and perspectives presented in Sir Henry Parnell’s pamphlet ‘On financial reform’, first edition published in 1830, and Sir Samuel Bentham’s 1830 letter in response titled ‘Financial reform scrutinized’.

The New Researcher

Purpose – This poem is a reflection of the processes and associated emotions early career academic researchers may experience in preparing, presenting and publishing their research.Design/methodology/approach – Fictional poem.Findings – This poem highlights that the processes an early career academic researcher undertakes to publish his/her research is not necessarily the hardest lesson to learn. Rather the hardest lesson is learning to cope with the mix of emotions they will experience during the process.Research limitations/implications – Provides early career academic researchers, and their supervisors, with a guide of what they can expect to experience during the first few years during their research.Originality/value – A fun review of the early career of a new academic researcher.