In this article, managerial competencies are derived from observations of public managers in action. Based on institutional theory, it is assumed that public managers are competent when they know how to play the game of public management and how to apply the rules of the game. This assumption is...

Purpose – This paper examines the effects of performance driven public services on managerial behaviour and the values that influence individual actions. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is historical/institutional within a constructed theoretical framework Findings – Fuelled by...