"Public administration theory is a mixture of history, organizational theory, social theory, political theory, and other related subjects focusing on the meaning, structure, and function of public service under all circumstances."
The proposals put forward to explain or guide public sector practices.
Theories of Public Administration: This topic covers the various theories that have been developed to explain the workings of public administration, including classical, behavioral, and institutional theories.
Public Administration History: This topic involves the study of the historical development of public administration, including its evolution from a form of government to a discipline in its own right.
Bureaucratic Politics: This topic deals with the influence of the bureaucracy on policy decisions and the political process.
Public Management: This topic covers the principles and practices of managing public organizations and public resources effectively and efficiently.
Public Policy Analysis: This topic involves the study of how public policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated.
Public Budgeting: This topic covers the principles and practices of budgeting in the public sector, including the revenue collection process and the allocation of resources.
Ethics in Public Service: This topic deals with the ethical principles and values that guide public servants in their work and decision-making.
Leadership in Public Organizations: This topic covers the principles and practices of leadership in public organizations, including the development of leadership skills and styles.
Organizational Behavior in Public Organizations: This topic involves the study of the behavior of individuals and groups in public organizations and how it affects organizational performance and efficiency.
Comparative Public Administration: This topic involves the comparison of public administration practices and systems in different countries or regions, with a focus on their similarities and differences.
Classical Theory: This theory is based on a hierarchical approach to management, emphasizing efficiency, productivity, and standardized procedures.
Scientific Management Theory: This theory, also known as Taylorism, emphasizes breaking down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable parts to optimize efficiency in the workplace.
Behavioral Theory: This theory focuses on the human aspect of management, taking into account the social and psychological dynamics of organizations.
Systems Theory: This theory views organizations as complex systems that need to be understood holistically, with inputs, processes, and outputs.
Contingency Theory: This theory suggests that there is no one best way to manage an organization, and that the success of management strategies depends on the specific context and environment.
New Public Management Theory: This theory emphasizes the need for public sector organizations to operate like private sector businesses, with a focus on efficiency, performance, and customer service.
Governance Theory: This theory looks at the role of government in society and emphasizes the importance of citizen participation and accountability.
Postmodern Theory: This theory considers how power and knowledge are constructed and contested within organizations, and challenges traditional assumptions about the role of public administration.
Public Choice Theory: This theory applies economic principles to the analysis of decision-making in the public sector, and suggests that individuals act in their own self-interest.
Network Theory: This theory views public administration as a network of interconnected individuals and organizations, with power and resources distributed across the system.
"In general, there are three common approaches to appreciation of public administration: Classical Public Administration Theory, New Public Management Theory, and Postmodern Public Administration Theory."
"Important figures of study include: Max Weber, Frederick Winslow Taylor, Luther Gulick, Mary Parker Follett, Chester Barnard, Herbert A. Simon, and Dwight Waldo."
"Herbert Simon advanced a public administration theory that was informed by positivism."
"The influence of positivism today can be seen in journals such as the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory and the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management."
"Notable public administration theorist such as Max Weber expressed the importance of values in the development of public administration theory."
"Theories are not simply derived from empirical observations of facts but must be constructed using value judgments that guide empirical observations and interpretations of those observations."
"Values are essential to the construction of administrative theory because they take into account the culture's wise ethical principles and philosophies that ensure proper theoretical practice."
"Public administration theories are put into practice or considered through a few distinct strategies: Parallel, Transfer, or Collaboration, also known as the theory-gap practice."
"This practice is used to transfer knowledge between practitioners and scholars."
"...focusing on the meaning, structure, and function of public service under all circumstances."
"It often describes the main historical underpinnings of bureaucracy research as well as epistemological issues related to public service as a profession and an education field."