New Public Management-practices in the Norwegian school sector. Appraisal interviews and local collective bargaining in upper secondary schools

Abstract

This dissertation set out to explore NPM’s presence in the Norwegian public school sector through a single case study. It employed a mixed method approach, using document analysis, a quantitative questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. The study focused initially on attitudes and impact of NPM in two practices in the upper secondary schools in Østfold County: the use of appraisal interviews and local collective bargaining. As the research progressed, a new research question emerged, focusing on a potential link between the two. The research results showed that both practices were well established, and to some extent influenced by NPM. In light of how they were carried out, their content, and the employees’ attitudes towards them, it seemed this influence was more in theory than in reality. With respect to appraisal interviews, the County guidelines described a quite formal and necessary practice aimed at developing the staff and the organisation as a whole. In practice, they were more informal and mainly provided the employees with a sense of validation. Whether or not employees were in favour of a local pay system, hardly any of the participants were happy with the current system of local collective bargaining. While Østfold County described a thorough process and an active pay policy, it seemed to have little impact on the employees, and many took little interest in and had little knowledge of the practice.