Since Max Weber analysed the process of the historical differentiation of religion, politics, law and economics, it is now accepted that it is functional differentiation into…
Abstract
Since Max Weber analysed the process of the historical differentiation of religion, politics, law and economics, it is now accepted that it is functional differentiation into relatively autonomous subsystems and spheres of action, together with the rationalization of these areas according to their own principles, that fundamentally determines the modern. This immediately focuses the spotlight on public administration characterized as a type of bureaucracy with a system of official responsibilities, a hierarchy of offices, an official routine, adherence to a set of rules, a career public service. Between the basic bureaucratic character of public administrations in the west and the various manifestations of the nation state, it is possible to identify certain politico-cultural communities in the Anglo-Saxon area on the one hand and Continental Europe on the other which enable a distinction to be made between civic culture administration and the classic system of administration
This chapter is aimed at contributing to the question of how institutional reforms affect multi-level governance (MLG) capacities and thus the performance of public task…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter is aimed at contributing to the question of how institutional reforms affect multi-level governance (MLG) capacities and thus the performance of public task fulfillment with a particular focus on the local level of government in England, France, and Germany.
Methodology/approach
Drawing on concepts of institutional evaluation, we analytically distinguish six dimensions of impact assessment: vertical coordination; horizontal coordination; efficiency/savings; effectiveness/quality; political accountability/democratic control; equity of service standards. Methodologically, we rely on document analysis and expert judgments that could be gleaned from case studies in the three countries and a comprehensive evaluation of the available secondary data in the respective national and local contexts.
Findings
Institutional reforms in the intergovernmental setting have exerted a significant influence on task fulfillment and the performance of service delivery. Irrespective of whether MLG practice corresponds to type I or type II, task devolution (decentralization/de-concentration) furthers the interlocal variation and makes the equity of service delivery shrink. There is a general tendency of improved horizontal/MLG type I coordination capacities, especially after political decentralization, less in the case of administrative decentralization. However, decentralization often entails considerable additional costs which sometimes overload local governments.
Research implications
The distinction between multi-purpose territorial organization/MLG I and single-purpose functional organization/MLG II provides a suitable analytical frame for institutional evaluation and impact assessment of reforms in the intergovernmental setting. Furthermore, comparative research into the relationship between MLG and institutional reforms is needed to reveal the explanatory power of intervening factors, such as the local budgetary and staff situation, local policy preferences, and political interests in conjunction with the salience of the transferred tasks.
Practical implications
The findings provide evidence on the causal relationship between specific types of (vertical) institutional reforms, performance, and task-related characteristics. Policy-makers and government actors may use this information when drafting institutional reform programs and determining the allocation of public tasks in the intergovernmental setting.
Social implications
In general, the euphoric expectations placed upon decentralization strategies in modern societies cannot straightforwardly be justified. Our findings show that any type of task transfer to lower levels of government exacerbates existing disparities or creates new ones. However, the integration of tasks within multi-functional, politically accountable local governments may help to improve MLG type I coordination in favor of local communities and territorially based societal actors, while the opposite may be said with regard to de-concentration and the strengthening of MLG type II coordination.
Originality/value
The chapter addresses a missing linkage in the existing MLG literature which has hitherto predominantly been focused on the political decision-making and on the implementation of reforms in the intergovernmental settings of European countries, whereas the impact of such reforms and of their consequences for MLG has remained largely ignored.
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The study of administration in other countries is often labelledcomparative public administration and, since the Second World War, hasdeveloped a vast literature covering many…
Abstract
The study of administration in other countries is often labelled comparative public administration and, since the Second World War, has developed a vast literature covering many world areas and utilizing various methods. Along with its more practical, more prescriptive counterpart, development administration, it has frequently been analysed and critiqued as a study and as a guide to development assistance. Suggests a new role for comparative/development administration as it faces the important challenge of addressing administrative requirements not only in the Third World but also in the former Second World (former Soviet Union and Central/Eastern Europe). The suggestion here is that iconoclastic models and non‐Western approaches are worthy of consideration, even though they may range from the unpleasant to the bizarre. Explores the Asian Communist administration – as found in China – and the Islamic revivalist administration – as found in Iran.
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This conceptual article aims primarily to illustrate the impact of public value thinking on the process of public sector modernisation. Public value management (PVM) is analysed…
Abstract
Purpose
This conceptual article aims primarily to illustrate the impact of public value thinking on the process of public sector modernisation. Public value management (PVM) is analysed from two perspectives. First, the principles and features of PVM approaches are detailed, including a comparison of the literature on the other approaches characterizing the modernisation process, that is, traditional public administration (TPA), new public management (NPM) and new public governance (NPG). Then PVM is contrasted with NPM and TPA. Subsequently, the elements connecting PVM with NPG are explored. Second, the theoretical and methodological frameworks within which public value has been operationalized are investigated. One of the core topics is the measurement of public value, which is illustrated focusing on the link between public value (in the singular) and public values (in the plural). The impact that the adoption of public value thinking exerts on the multiple performance objectives for public sector organisations is also investigated. Ultimately, the article aims to highlight the potential of the public value view – considered in conjunction with performance measurement and performance management systems – without neglecting the challenging and problematic aspects of this wave of reform. The comparison with other waves of reform is intended to provide a clearer picture of the way forward for PVM.
Design/methodology/approach
Theoretical and methodological investigation, elaborating on the relevant literature on the process of public sector modernisation, is carried out.
Findings
The approaches that have emerged during the last two decades (PVM, NPG) are other than alternative solutions. But also less recent waves of change have left, or are expected to leave, their own legacy for public administration over time. This could be the case for NPM, although, according to many scholars, it is in trouble and has lost its driving force, while others see it as simply ‘dead’ and doomed to give way to the ‘digital-era governance’. Several core elements of NPM are no longer in evidence either in PVM or in NPG. Different distinguishing elements have been brought into the foreground. For instance, the idea of the public as citizens characterises PVM and NPG, instead of the public as customers, qualifying NPM. What we are seeing is a progressive expansion of the public’s involvement, through co-production and participation. Contemporary public officials interact with members of the public in ways that involve all of their possible roles: as citizens, customers, partners. There are two salient aspects under which public value thinking can contribute. First, a focus on public value can – better than other approaches – represent a ‘glue’ capable of bringing together debates involving ‘values, institutions, systems, processes, and people’ (Smith, 2004, p. 18). Second, such a focus makes it possible to link insights from different analytical perspectives, fostering a broader view on the determinants of public sector change. This could be of decisive importance for the purpose of reshaping performance measurement and performance management systems, which is a crucial step in public sector reform.
Originality/value
Significant contributions are offered under two aspects. First, in terms of exploration of the concepts of public value (also in relation to public values) and private value. Second, in terms of analysis of the impact that PVM can exert on the logic of performance measurement and performance management.
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Jan C. L. König and Klaus-Peter Wiedmann
– The purpose of the authors of this paper is to observe the German Government’s rhetorical communication measurements during the 2008 financial crisis.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the authors of this paper is to observe the German Government’s rhetorical communication measurements during the 2008 financial crisis.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors compiled approaches of organizational rhetoric and pragma-linguistics first to offer a consistent concept and method for observation and analysis. Later on, they give an overview of the problem of trust and confidence according to Luhmann’s approach and its meaning for crisis rhetoric and marketing and managing approaches.
Findings
In the following case study, the authors offer a rhetorical text analysis, combined with a pragmatic perspective of accompanying legal measurements of the government as non-verbal communication. The authors show how the government re-established trust among German consumers and eventually overcame the crisis mainly by rhetorical action.
Research limitations/implications
Regarding future crises, the authors suggest that the interaction of trust, financial markets and rhetorical approaches could be better understood. This could include both more quantitative research and qualitative rhetorical approaches.
Practical implications
Practical implications clearly show the importance of rhetorical education, especially for crises. This counts for governmental managers, as well as entrepreneurs and spokesmen.
Social implications
The authors also revealed the problem of unjustified trust which can become dangerous for social welfare, even if it is only produced by misleading communication. This problem can only be solved by a careful public regulation.
Originality/value
Finally, the authors could describe the importance of effective language and communication as a tool for the German Government in the financial crisis in 2008. It can be also described as an example for decision-makers in similar situations.
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Studies on entrepreneurship in public agencies suggest that managing for innovation may increase organizational performance. These studies, however, do not take into consideration…
Abstract
Purpose
Studies on entrepreneurship in public agencies suggest that managing for innovation may increase organizational performance. These studies, however, do not take into consideration the processes of opportunity identification. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to, first, situate the concept of opportunity identification within the broader research on public sector entrepreneurship, and second, to explore the relationship between managerial empowerment practices and employee alertness to new opportunities.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses aggregated data from the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey – an annual survey of the US Federal employees – to examine the relationship between managerial empowerment practices and employee alertness. The analysis employs a fixed-effects regression to model each panel of the US Federal agencies, from 2011 to 2017.
Findings
The results indicate that managerial empowerment practices have a clear correlation to employee alertness and are substantively different from empowerment practice’s relationship to “innovation” – an outcome of entrepreneurship. These findings suggest that scholarship should include opportunity identification as a moderating variable in future studies on public sector entrepreneurship.
Research limitations/implications
The empirical analysis should be viewed as a novel approach to alertness in order to demonstrate the need to include opportunity identification processes in studies on managing for public sector entrepreneurship. Consequently, the results are not generalizable to all public agencies.
Originality/value
This paper highlights processes of entrepreneurial opportunity identification concerning management practices in the public sector, which scholarship has traditionally ignored.
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This study aimed to test Early and Ang’s (2003) proposition that self-enhancement hinders successful cross-cultural adjustment. The literature on self-enhancement is reviewed, and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to test Early and Ang’s (2003) proposition that self-enhancement hinders successful cross-cultural adjustment. The literature on self-enhancement is reviewed, and the overclaiming technique as an unobtrusive measure of self-enhancement is introduced for use in global mobility contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the overclaiming technique, an international-cultural overclaiming test was developed. Expatriates in Singapore stated their familiarity with international-cultural knowledge items, with some of them being foil items, and rated their cross-cultural (general, interaction, work) adjustment. Supervisors rated the expatriates on their work adjustment and performance.
Findings
Overclaiming was not related to self-rated cross-cultural adjustment. However, overclaiming was negatively related to supervisor rated work adjustment and performance. Additionally, the results showed that international-cultural knowledge accuracy was positively related to self-rated general adjustment and to supervisor rated work adjustment and performance.
Research limitations/implications
The small sample size with a majority of expatriate teachers from international schools in the sample makes it necessary for the results to be replicated with larger and more varied expatriate samples.
Practical implications
While further validation is needed, this research indicates that the overclaiming technique could be a valuable tool for assessing self-enhancement in candidates for expatriate positions in order to gauge potential cross-cultural (mal)adjustment, as perceived by others.
Originality/value
This study was (likely) the first study that has applied the overclaiming technique in a global mobility context. An international-cultural knowledge overclaiming test is provided to academic researchers for future use.