The demand for flexibility within post-bureaucratic organizations suggests a greater
absorption of the individual into the world of work, shifting between different roles and
capacities. In this context, personalities, social relations, and individual interests may
become subjugated to the instrumental concerns of the organization: extending
bureaucracy rather than replacing it (Maravelias, 2003). However, given the ideological
push for modernisation of the provision of public services in most OECD countries
expressed in the discourses and practices of TPG, has the funeral of public
bureaucracy already taken place? The drivers of post-bureaucratic organisational
forms are closely associated with the advocates of TPG, particularly its NPM
component. Their arguments stem from debates concerning the nature of public and
merit goods. Public goods are those that one individual cannot prevent another from
enjoying its benefits. The usual examples are street lighting and road maintenance