Abstract
Romania’s post-EU accession period brought significant demands for institutional reform, particularly in public administration. This article critically examines the modernisation initiatives undertaken between 2007 and 2012, analysing both structural reforms and changes in administrative culture. Drawing on qualitative interviews with senior civil servants and policy documents, we explore how reform agendas were shaped by European conditionality, domestic political dynamics, and institutional legacies.
Key Findings
The research reveals a complex landscape of reform implementation, where formal institutional changes often outpaced substantive organisational transformation. While legislative frameworks were updated to align with EU standards, the operationalisation of reforms was hampered by political instability, limited administrative capacity, and resistance from entrenched bureaucratic interests.
Methodology
The study employs a mixed-methods approach combining document analysis of reform strategies and implementation reports with semi-structured interviews conducted with 28 senior civil servants across five government ministries. The theoretical framework draws on historical institutionalism and the concept of institutional layering.
Implications
The findings suggest that sustainable administrative reform requires not only legislative change but also sustained investment in human capital development, performance management systems, and transparency mechanisms. The Romanian case offers valuable lessons for other post-socialist countries navigating similar reform trajectories.
