New Public Management and the Change of Forest Institutions

The forestry sector, public forest policy and
forest administration in many countries are
currently involved in a process of change.
Public budget crises, inefficient and obsolete
administrative structures, changes in social
requirements with respect to forests and low
timber prices have all given rise to persistent
requests for fundamental administrative reform
in the forestry sector. New Public Management
(NPM) has been gaining acceptance as the
most common concept in this context.
Originally developed in New Zealand, this
concept has been the inspiration behind
widespread reform in all kinds of countries in
East Asia, North America and Europe. We
would like to present reforms implemented by
forest authorities in Germany and Switzerland
as examples of such authorities which have
already gained experience with elements of
New Public Management.