The fifth paradigm of public administration? Public organizational theory as a possible solution to the perennial big questions of public administration

Abstract

This paper addresses the current “big questions” debate in public administration and proposes an appropriate placement for organization theory in the discourse of the discipline. Major scholars in organization theory are analyzed in terms of their relationship to the big questions. Public administration is discussed as a confused discipline, but a discipline nonetheless, and organization theory finds its place as the foundation for discussion and examination of public administration’s “big questions.”

Citation

French, P.E., Spears, R.A. and Stanley, R.E. (2005), "The fifth paradigm of public administration? Public organizational theory as a possible solution to the perennial big questions of public administration", International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 133-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-08-02-2005-B001