Social networks: Tool of the new public management

This paper addresses with an exploratory look two transformational processes that have significantly affected modern societies and that are closely linked. On the one hand, the transformation of public administration to the new public management as a product of the crisis caused by the bureaucratic model of the Welfare State and, on the other hand, the transformation of social communication processes as a result of technological revolutions and the emergence of social networks in the field of social communication. The central hypothesis is that this transformational situation in both sectors offers an opportunity to turn towards new forms of management that are more efficient, effective, agile, and transparent, thereby giving greater legitimacy to current governments. However, some risks and success factors are also pointed out that allow us to trace a route for future research.