Research was conducted to explore the usefulness of NPM to developing countries, in a survey in which a questionnaire was used to collect data from 238 government and non-government employees in Nepal. The study found that NPM components of cost cutting and downsizing, introducing market mechanisms, decentralization of management authority, and quality and customer responsiveness were most applicable; introducing agencies and new personnel systems were moderately applicable; and performance management and separation of policy from operations were found to be less applicable to Nepal.
The findings of this research helped to draw the important conclusion that NPM is applicable to developing countries, as Nepal is typical of other less developed countries sharing similar problems and challenges in public management. The results of this study could be a solid foundation for introducing future public management reforms in developing countries, including Nepal.