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Public Administration: An Introduction
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Comments/Reviews
Description: Both comprehensive and cutting edge, Public Administration: An Introduction is a fresh and highly engaging textbook for the introductory course in Public Administration. It covers all the basic topics in detail, and also reflects new realities in public administration--innovations in e-government; the importance of new technology; changes in intergovernmental relations, especially the emphasis on inter-local and shared regional resources; and public performance and accountability initiatives.
The text is designed to appeal to students. Each of the 14 chapters is generously illustrated with cartoons, quotes, and artwork--all reinforcing the theme that the field of PA is rooted in the cultural and political world. Each chapter is also supported with a listing of key terms, exercises, and additional resources. An online instructor's manual with a test bank; additional cases, exercises, and teaching resources; and links to videos is available to adopters.
Click here to view a free, publicly accessible online database sponsored by the Rutgers-Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA). Access more than 1,000 cases and simulations and related multi-media and fictionalized cases--resources that highlight the advances, innovations, challenges, and trends in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Selected Contents:
Preface
1. Public Administration An Indispensable Part of Society
Government Requires Resources
What Do We Get for All of These Rescources?
How Government is Organized to Deliver Services
How Governent Serves Others
What Then is Public Administration?
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
Case Studies
2. Organizational Theory and Management
Chapter Overview
Theories of Managerial Efficiency
Contemporary Organizational Theories
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Reading
Electronic Resources
3. Managing Human Resources
Human Resources Management
Productive Human Resource Management
Cultivating and Maintaining Quality, Diverse Workforce
Creating a Quality Work Environment
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
4. Public Decision Making
How Decisions Are Made
The Nature of Decision Making
Theoretical Models of Decision Making
Dysfunctions in Decision Making
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
5. Politics and Public Administration
The Intersection of Politics and Administration
Reform and Neutrality
The Reality of Bureaucratic Politics
Checking Bureaucratic Discretion
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
6. Intergovernmental Relations
The Layers of Government
The Idea of Federalism
Interlocal Shared Government
Improving Performance Intra- and Inter-Governmental Competition to Improve Performance
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
7. Public Performance
Improving Government Perfomance
The Importance of Knowledge Sharing and Training
Total Quality Management: Customer Focus and Responsive Public Organizations
Measuring Performance to Improve Performance
The Social Aspects of Performance
The Role of Privatization in Government Performance
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
8. Program Evaluation
What Is Program Evaluation?
How to Collect Empirical Data
Conducting Evaluations and the Importance of Stakeholders
Types of Program Evaluations
Ethical Concerns
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
9. Public Budgeting
Budgeting Process
The Federal Budget Process
Types of Budgets
Where Do Governments Get This Money?
Theories of Budgeting
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
10. Public Sector Leadership
Leading People
Management Functions
The Leadership Literature
Prevailing Leadership Theories
Types of Leadership Power
Leader as Communicator
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
11. Ethics and Public Administration
Administravie Ethics
What Are Ethics?
Bureaucracy and Ethics
Formal Rules and Bureaucratic Discretion
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
12. Technology and Public Administration
Technology and Public Administration
Technology Organization
The Network and Security
Knowledge Management
The Basics: Database Evolution
Geospatial Information Systems-Data Visualization
The Connected Society: Trends and Opportunities facing Public Managers
Key Terms
References
Supplementary Readings
Electronic Resources
13. Public Service and Popular Culture
Public Sevants
The Image of the Public Servant
The Real Public Servant
Capturing the Attention of Youth
Public Information
Networks and Professional Organizations
Key Terms
References
Supplemantary Readings
Electronic Resources
14. The Future of Public Administration
The Evolution of Public Administration
Governance Networks
Performance Measurement
Seven Step Methodology
Performance Reporting
Government Performance vs. Private Sector Performance
Citizen Participation
Globalization: The Internationalization of Public Administration
E-governance
Transparency
Key Terms
References
Supplemantary Readings
Electronic Resources
Case Studies
Index
About the Authors
Comment(s): "Holzer and Schwester have used their enormous experience to produce a fresh introductory textbook for public administration that really captures the contemporary themes that the popular media and scholars discuss, while providing a thorough background of the historical development of the field. The language is straightforward, the graphics are fantastic, and--without losing an American focus--the sweep of attention of Public Administration: An Introduction is more global than typically found in most introductory textbooks." -- Montgomery Van Wart, California State University San Bernardino
"The authors have written an engaging overview of public administration which uses political cartoons and other artwork to good effect. Students will find the varied formats and short exercises to be fun ways to learn the basic material more fully. The chapters on technology, leadership and performance management are welcome additions to this introductory public administration textbook, which covers all the other required bases fully." -- Frances S. Berry, Florida State University
"Holzer's and Schwester's new textbook is content rich and visually appealing, a winning combination for today's students. Furthermore, the case studies and exercises in the book provide a great resource to instructors, as students will benefit from theories combined with practical application." -- Maria P. Aristigueta, University of Delaware
"After using the book for three separate courses, I have found Marc Holzer and Richard Schwester's textbook to be both accessible and authoritative. The writing style is lively and interesting, while providing substantive insights in the values, practices, and applied research in public administration. The authors consistently invite the readers to consider how to apply the material to their careers." -- Richard Callahan, University of San Francisco
    
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