Title: New Public Management Vs. Post-Npm In Somaliland: A Systematic Literature Review Examining The Legacy, Effectiveness, And The Shift Towards Holistic And Digital-Era Governance
Authors: Mustafe Mahamoud Abdillahi, PhD (c)
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 124-137
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
This systematic literature review examined the implementation, legacy, and evolution of New Public Management (NPM) reforms within Somaliland's public sector from 1991 to 2023. The study synthesized evidence from academic and grey literature to critically assess the effectiveness of core NPM tenets-privatization, agencification, and performance management. Findings revealed a mixed legacy, characterized by isolated successes, such as in revenue collection and telecommunications, but broader issues of fragmentation, regulatory weakness, and a profound contextual misfit with Somaliland's hybrid governance and state-building realities. The analysis identified no conscious, systemic shift towards Post-NPM; reintegrative initiatives remained nascent and donor-driven, while the traditional clan system persisted as a powerful, informal integrating force. Concurrently, a vibrant, private sector-led digital transformation was observed, presenting a potential opportunity to leapfrog toward Digital-Era Governance, though lacking cohesive state strategy. The study concluded that Somaliland's administrative landscape is a unique hybrid, where imported models are negotiated within indigenous realities, necessitating context-sensitive reforms that leverage digital innovation and traditional institutions.