Application of Strategic Management Tools After an NPM-Inspired Reform: Strategy as Practice in Danish Schools

Strategic management is said to become increasingly relevant in public organizations due to new public management (NPM) changes. However, there is a lack of studies investigating how public organizations actually apply strategic management tools which is an important aspect of strategy as practice. This article investigates which strategic management tools are applied and whether changes take place in the application of different types of tools after an NPM-inspired reform. In addition, explanations are sought for the application of different types of tools. This is investigated in Danish upper secondary schools where a reform made the schools self-governed and taximeter financed.