The Impact of New Public Management on the Transformation of the Greek Forest Service

Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design, University of Thessaly, 43100, Karditsa, Greece

Abstract

The application of New Public Management (NPM) principles in the Greek public sector has been extensively studied, particularly in areas such as health, education, and local government. In contrast, the Forest Service has not yet been examined through the lens of NPM and good governance despite its institutional distinctiveness and significant administrative mission. The analysis presented here constitutes the first application of administrative theory to the institutional evaluation of the Forest Service, exploring how legislative functionality, transparency, and accountability affect institutional maturity and administrative effectiveness, serving as indicators of alignment with New Public Management (NPM) principles and good governance. Although the Forest Service operates within a strict legal and institutional framework of public law, it faces significant challenges in its administrative function due to the complexity of legal requirements and institutional ambiguity. Limited effectiveness and transparency negatively impact the development of reliable accountability mechanisms and institutional openness. This study aims to evaluate the administrative functionality of the Forest Service using composite indices developed through statistical analysis and to highlight the extent to which NPM principles have been integrated into key institutional aspects. Through this approach, the need for a more holistic and functional model of public administration in the forestry sector becomes evident.