Dynamic Governance: Embedding Culture, Capabilities and Change in Singapore

In a world of uncertainty and change, current achievements are no guarantee for future survival. Even if the initial chosen set of principles, policies and practices are good, static efficiency and governance would eventually lead to stagnation and decay. No amount of careful planning can assure a government of continual relevance and effectiveness if there is no capacity for learning, innovation and change in the face of ever new challenges in a volatile and unpredictable global environment. This book provides an in-depth look at dynamic governance, the key to success in a world of rapid, increasing globalization and unrelenting technological advancements. If bureaucratic public institutions can evolve and embed the culture and capabilities that enable continuous learning and change, their contributions to a country s socio-economic progress and prosperity would be enormous. The lessons from their efforts in institutionalizing culture, capabilities and change could provide meaningful and valuable insights for transforming organizations in other contexts.

The quality of governance is an essential ingredient of a successful state. Singapore s success, it is generally agreed, exemplifies good governance. Therefore, government leaders and analysts look to Singapore for lessons that can be applied elsewhere. In Dynamic Governance, Professors Neo and Chen have provided a work of great insight into Singapore s success. Their framework of thinking ahead, thinking again, and thinking across illuminates the way the Singapore government has operated. One of the strengths of their work is that they do not oversimplify. They look at the links between government and political leadership and between organization and culture, and at policy making and policy execution. While Dynamic Governance will be of value to those interested in Singapore, to those concerned with strengthening governance in other places, it is required reading. --Professor John W Thomas, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Articulating the principles of good policies is simple. Implementing such policies effectively and adapting them to a rapidly changing environment are more difficult. The specific institutional innovations that underlie Singapore's success are described here within a sophisticated governance framework. The example of Singapore is often dismissed as a special case, because of the particular historical circumstances and personalities involved. Exact replication may not be possible or wished for, but Singapore has resolved many issues more successfully than anywhere else. It is important to examine the details of how they did so. The authors have focused on key elements for this economic success, and there are lessons to be learned. --Professor Lee Benham, The Ronald Coase Institute, Washington University at St Louis

This is not a book of simple answers in governance. It offers no silver bullet. But it shows what political will, clear thinking, dogged determination and a public service leadership dedicated to the pursuit of organizational excellence and service to the citizenry, can accomplish. Readers will find the many case studies interesting, informative and, perhaps, even inspirational. I commend the book to all who are pursuing public sector reform not simply by copying what others do, but by thinking deeply about the desired outcomes, the principles of governance and the psychology of public officers, to develop approaches and introduce innovations for effective results and far-reaching changes --Mr. Lim Siong Guan, Chairman, Economic Development Board, Singapore