Competition or Cooperation? : A Longitudinal Case Study of NPM Reforms' Influence on Strategic Management in Upper Secondary Schools

New Public Management (NPM) reforms are often argued as promoting efficiency, because they enhance strategic and competitive behavior among public organizations. Oppositely, critics argue that strategic behavior can be problematic for public organizations, because cooperation and collaboration is needed to increase the general public value rather than just maximizing organizational profit. This study paper examines how an NPM reform (introducing self-government for upper secondary schools, coupled with quasi-markets with activity based funding) in the Danish secondary school sector, changes strategic management, both in regard to strategic orientation and strategic processes. (Series: The Rockwool Foundation Research Unit - Study Paper - No. 75) [Subject: Organizational Management, Education]