Showing papers in "Administration & Society in 2014"
TL;DR: Scholars have provided great theoretical insight and empirical understanding to the concept of representative bureaucracy, documenting the changing makeup of the civil service and demonstrating the changing composition of the public service.
Abstract: Scholars have provided great theoretical insight and empirical understanding to the concept of representative bureaucracy, documenting the changing makeup of the civil service and demonstrating the...
122 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a perspective on the interaction between formal and informal institutions in spatial planning in which they transform each other continuously, in processes that can be described and analyzed as ongoing reinterpretations.
Abstract: In this article, we present a perspective on the interaction between formal and informal institutions in spatial planning in which they transform each other continuously, in processes that can be described and analyzed as ongoing reinterpretations. The effects of configurations and dialectics are often ambiguous, only partially observable, different in different domains and at different times. By means of analyses of key concepts in planning theory and practice, this perspective is illustrated and developed. Finally, we analyze transformation options in planning systems, emphasizing the limits of formal institutions in transforming formal/informal configurations, and stressing the importance of judgment and conflict.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed research themes and methods used in information technology (IT) in government and e-government research and found that although IT/e-government studies (including inward aspects of IT applicat...
Abstract: This study reviews research themes and methods used in information technology (IT) in government and e-government research. Although IT/e-government studies (including inward aspects of IT applicat...
70 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined whether reducing the number of local authorities to secure scale economies is beneficial for local government. And they examined whether scale economies can be achieved by involuntary reducing local authorities.
Abstract: Controversy surrounds structural reform in local government, especially efforts aimed at involuntarily reducing the number of local authorities to secure scale economies. We examined whether scale ...
60 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors leverage economic theory, network theory, and social network analytical techniques to bring greater conceptual and methodological rigor to understand how information is exchanged during disaster, and leverage economic theories and network theories to predict future economic performance.
Abstract: We leverage economic theory, network theory, and social network analytical techniques to bring greater conceptual and methodological rigor to understand how information is exchanged during disaster...
29 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify the key factors necessary for a collaborative management strategy and analyze the structural and operational issues of two infrastructure projects in Australia and argue that the success of PPPs depends on the processes and actions used to cocreate managerial social capital, building mutual trust by sharing risks, responsibilities, and experience.
Abstract: Public private partnerships (PPPs) have evolved as a strategic response to public sector resource deficits and for pooling technical, managerial, and financial resources from the private sector. In this article, we identify the key factors necessary for a collaborative management strategy and analyze the structural and operational issues of two infrastructure projects in Australia. This article explains how a PPP offers a different set of strategic options to deal with complex micromanagement issues and argues that the success of PPPs depends on the processes and actions used to cocreate managerial social capital, building mutual trust by sharing risks, responsibilities, and experience.
29 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that collectivist models of decentralized, self-organizing social forms may advance our understanding of modern governance practices and balance tensions in three areas: perspectives on organizations (structure or process), between individual liberty and collective responsibility, and whether increasing freedom or control over individuals enhances organizational efficiencies.
Abstract: Our methods of governance are shifting. We increasingly rely on an interconnected web of public, private, and nonprofit actors working across organizational, institutional, and sectoral boundaries to deliver public services. Our understanding of these new practices, however, is reliant on models of individual rationality and social behavior developed for hierarchical organizational forms. I argue that collectivist models of decentralized, self-organizing social forms may advance our understanding of modern governance practices and balance tensions in three areas: perspectives on organizations (structure or process), between individual liberty and collective responsibility, and whether increasing freedom or control over individuals enhances organizational efficiencies.
28 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the centralities and roles of actors in an urban governance network were analyzed using a longitudinal case study, and the results of network text analyses and social network analyses of newspap...
Abstract: Using a longitudinal case study, we analyzed the centralities and roles of the actors in an urban governance network. The results of our network text analyses and social network analyses of newspap...
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used Foucault's concept of governmentality to explore the underlying principles of government change in the United States and found that the change Barack Obama represents can be traced back to the French Revolution.
Abstract: There has been much debate about the change Barack Obama represents. This article considers this question by using Michel Foucault’s concept of governmentality to explore the underlying governmenta...
25 citations
TL;DR: The Government of Bangladesh with the help of international development agencies has been trying to develop good governance through effective people's participation with the aim of realizing effect as discussed by the authors. But it has not been able to realize effect.
Abstract: The Government of Bangladesh with the help of international development agencies has been trying to develop good governance through effective people’s participation with the aim of realizing effect...
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors adopt the diffusion of innovations model as a research framework to examine adult learner perceptions related to workplace e-learning effectiveness, and find that the diffusion model can be used to examine learner's perceptions of workplace elearning effectiveness.
Abstract: This study adopts the diffusion of innovations model as a research framework to examine adult learner perceptions related to workplace e-learning effectiveness. Recent training reform efforts focus...
TL;DR: The argument presented in this article is a relatively basic one but one that has been overlooked by students of public administration ethics as mentioned in this paper, and the analysis is grounded in the writing and ideas of J...
Abstract: The argument presented in this article is a relatively basic one but one that has been overlooked by students of public administration ethics. The analysis is grounded in the writing and ideas of J...
TL;DR: The academic fields of public administration and public management are diverging. Public management focuses primarily on the orthodox values of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and value for money as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The academic fields of public administration and public management are diverging. Public management focuses primarily on the orthodox values of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and value for money. ...
TL;DR: The authors examined the effects of capacity-oriented and institutional-based factors on the proliferation of private prison privatization by extending the first generation of empirical research and found that correction expenditures, prison capacity, and regional identity are factors that significantly affect the magnitude of prison privatization, whereas political pressures, government ideology, and unionization were found not to have significant influence on the growth of private prisons.
Abstract: This study examines the effects of capacity-oriented and institutional-based factors on the proliferation of prison privatization by extending the first generation of empirical research. This study found that correction expenditures, prison capacity, and regional identity are factors that significantly affect the magnitude of prison privatization, whereas political pressures, government ideology, and unionization were found not to have a significant influence on the growth of private prisons. The results imply that, once adopted, prison privatization became institutionalized over time and suggest that state governments should develop well-structured evaluation systems for private prisons to ensure and maintain effective correction management.
TL;DR: While material gain continues to be a leading motivator for corrupt acts, this article showed that social status and kinship responsibilities should also be considered possible precursors to corrupt behavior.
Abstract: While material gain continues to be a leading motivator for corrupt acts, this study shows that social status and kinship responsibilities should also be considered possible precursors to corruptio...
TL;DR: The authors analyzes all 154 localities that prohibit discrimination against gender identity or expression in employment, as of July 2011, to explore their scope, the capability of implementation agencies, and safeguards provided to employees.
Abstract: Transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination policies create a quagmire for human resources to successfully implement. There is a dearth of knowledge about the extent, features, and aptitude of policies to prevent discrimination against transgender employees. This study analyzes all 154 localities that prohibit discrimination against gender identity or expression in employment, as of July 2011, to explore their scope, the capability of implementation agencies, and safeguards provided to employees. The results indicate that the extent of the nondiscrimination policies is broad and potentially benefit most citizens; however, insufficient power is delegated to implementing agencies and safeguards are not the norm.
TL;DR: Although routinely criticized for its many flaws, bureaucracy, as a form of organizing, remains perceived as being more efficient than any other currently known forms of administration as mentioned in this paper. In fact, ef
Abstract: Although routinely criticized for its many flaws, bureaucracy, as a form of organizing, remains perceived as being more efficient than any other currently known forms of administration. In fact, ef...
TL;DR: This article examined the dynamic between agency (individual influence) and structure (organizational forces) as applied to workplace bullying in a public organization and explored the organizational impediments, particularly resulting from structure, in addressing workplace bullying.
Abstract: Organizational awareness and responses to workplace bullying is in a state of change and innovation. While employees are gaining awareness, organizations are unable or unwilling to change rapidly enough for employee needs. This paper examines the dynamic between agency (individual influence) and structure (organizational forces) as applied to workplace bullying in a public organization. A case example involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is included to explore the organizational impediments, particularly resulting from structure, in addressing workplace bullying.
TL;DR: In this paper, a mixed-methods research project examines the topics of application security, reliability, appropriateness, and ease of use, and personal experiences of potential users to understand opinions of online welfare applications.
Abstract: A growing number of state welfare agencies are using the Internet to communicate with potential and current clients. Although public management benefits are clear, little is known about client perspectives. This mixed-methods research project examines the topics of application security, reliability, appropriateness, and ease of use, and personal experiences of potential users to understand opinions of online welfare applications. Focus group findings highlight direct benefits, such as speed and ease of use, and indirect benefits, such as holding caseworkers accountable and avoiding unpleasant office conditions. Study participants also identified exceptions like emergencies and applicants with special needs. Despite mixed feelings, many participants preferred online applications to in-person, worker-led eligibility interviews.
TL;DR: In this paper, a qualitative approach was adopted to determine the role of partnerships in the university sport sector as a mechanism of collaborative entrepreneurship, and the results obtained lead to the conclusion that university sports partnerships can be understood as collaborative entrepreneurship in that they join the interests of different institutions in carrying out common projects of social value and intervention.
Abstract: The main objective of this study is to determine the role of partnerships in the university sport sector as a mechanism of collaborative entrepreneurship. To reach this goal, a qualitative approach was adopted, with the case study being a Portuguese Institute of Higher Education—University of Beira Interior. As data collecting instruments, interviews and documentary analysis were used, and the data-treatment technique was content analysis. The results obtained lead to the conclusion that university sports partnerships can be understood as collaborative entrepreneurship, in that they join the interests of different institutions in carrying out common projects of social value and intervention, helping universities to integrate with, and open up to society, and both internal and external stakeholders. In light of these insights, this article is a contribution to understanding the importance of partnerships as a form of collaborative entrepreneurship in the university sport sector. Some theoretical and practi...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors asserted that more purposely designed physical workplaces could contribute to performance improvement by leveraging human capital and management capacity in public organizations, and they proposed a new approach to improve the performance of public organizations.
Abstract: This article asserts that more purposely designed physical workplaces could contribute to performance improvement by leveraging human capital and management capacity in public organizations. It pro...
TL;DR: In this paper, a short story depicting events of workplace bullying in the public sector as also being acts of corruption is used to interpret secondary data and produce a short-short story depicting actions of bullying in public sector.
Abstract: Creative nonfiction writing is used to interpret secondary data and produce a short story depicting events of workplace bullying in the public sector as also being acts of corruption. Creative nonfiction writing enables interrogation of, and vicarious experience of, sensitive, complex, and controversial workplace events. Readers are invited to think, and feel, the events of bullying (and corruption), as well the multiple perspectives involved. For organizations grappling with workplace bullying, understanding the behaviors as also being potentially corrupt will deepen understanding, as will recognition of the possible rationales of those involved in its downward spiral.
TL;DR: Overeem and Verhoef's critique of my understanding of value pluralism in public administration boils down to two points. First, VP is a meta-ethical position that has little or no truck with t...
Abstract: Overeem and Verhoef’s critique of my understanding of value pluralism (VP) in public administration boils down to two points. First, VP is a meta-ethical position that has little or no truck with t...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose three equity standards that can be used by scholars, practitioners, and policy makers to assess the spatial distributional equity of philanthropic grant making in rural and urban giving patterns.
Abstract: The primary question in this study is whether the inequality observed in rural and urban giving patterns is equitable. Practitioners and policy makers have expressed concern about equity in foundation giving, but these concerns are often conflated with equality measures. The focus of this article is to disentangle equity and equality and then propose—in the absence of equity standards in philanthropic literature—three equity standards that can be used by scholars, practitioners, and policy makers to assess the spatial distributional equity of philanthropic grant making. In an illustrative application of the equity standards to grants made in 2005 by foundations in the state of Georgia, it is determined that rural communities receive an equitable share of philanthropic grants and grant dollars in the state.
TL;DR: In this paper, a constructivist approach is used to scrutinize embedded actions of situated agents of governance to explore the governing of activation services in Israel, probing beliefs, discourses, and beliefs.
Abstract: This article uses a constructivist approach to scrutinize embedded actions of situated agents of governance to explore the governing of activation services in Israel. It probes beliefs, discourses,...
TL;DR: The authors examines the uses of value pluralism in administrative theory and concludes that its claimed implications are neither valid, nor exhaustive, nor congruent, and conclude that the implications of value-pluralism for public administration (if any) remain open to debate.
Abstract: In philosophical ethics, value pluralism is the idea, often associated with Isaiah Berlin, that there are many objective, conflicting, even incommensurable values and that this necessitates often tragic moral choices. Several administrative theorists (notably Wagenaar and Spicer) have argued that value pluralism has far-reaching implications for public administration. The cogency of their arguments is, however, questionable. This article critically examines the uses of value pluralism in administrative theory and concludes that its claimed implications are neither valid, nor exhaustive, nor congruent. Hence, the implications of value pluralism for public administration (if any) remain open to debate.
TL;DR: In this paper, the evolution of affirmative action qua diversity over time, and shows that through the progression of time, the High Court's decisions on diversity or affirmative action programs have become more enlightened, certainly reflecting the values of policy makers as well as societal norms.
Abstract: The eminent scholar John Rohr in one of his many treatises argued that as we progress through time, the U.S. Supreme Court becomes more socially adaptable in terms of its interpretation of race issues under the U.S. Constitution. He also pointed out that the courts should be working with policy makers responding to the demands of the day, to promote vital goals such as diversity in higher education. This article illustrates the evolution of affirmative action qua diversity over time, and shows that through the progression of time, the High Court’s decisions on diversity or affirmative action programs have become more enlightened, certainly reflecting the values of policy makers as well as societal norms. In 2013, the Court agreed to hear an appeal to Fifth Circuit’s ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, which upheld the use of affirmative action in accordance with Grutter as well as Bakke. If the Court had overturned these decisions, it would have single-handedly destroyed decades of progress...
TL;DR: This article argued that my value pluralist approach is useful in understanding the role that politics should play in how we think about, teach, and reason about, value pluralism, arguing that my approach can be seen as a response to Overeem and Verhoef's criticism of value plurality.
Abstract: A response to Overeem and Verhoef’s criticism of value pluralism, arguing that my value pluralist approach is useful in understanding the role that politics should play in how we think about, teach...
TL;DR: This article studied two emergency managers in Michigan, one who has been instrumental in the development of emergency management policy for decades and one who is bringing his skills in corporate bankruptcy counsel to task.
Abstract: Fiscal stress in local governments has reached catastrophic levels in Michigan, which has implemented emergency management legislation in an attempt to keep apace of the problems it faces, including Detroit’s bankruptcy. It is time to consider what kind of public administrator is needed to address the problems of modern fiscal distress. Whereas the political approaches and policies for emergency financial management across the country may differ, the emergency manager can still bring successful generalized approaches and practices to many problems. This research studies two such bureaucrats in Michigan, one who has been instrumental in the development of emergency management policy for decades and one who is bringing his skills in corporate bankruptcy counsel to task.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the need for further scholarly engagement with remedial law and suggest that within each stage of the remedial process lies a series of important research questions, making the area fertile ground for the very type of administrative expertise and agency-centric approaches that are lacking from our scholarly discourse.
Abstract: Remedial law involves the use of litigated reform and injunctive relief to bring misfeasant state and local bureaucracies in line with federal law. This article highlights the need for further scholarly engagement with remedial law. It also indicates that within each stage of the remedial process lies a series of important research questions, making the area fertile ground for the very type of administrative expertise and agency-centric approaches that are lacking from our scholarly discourse. Attention to remedial law would not only strengthen the management of rights-driven reform but also contribute to the ongoing legitimacy of the public administration field.