Part III. Variations of PA

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Questions and Answers

What does normative isomorphism primarily involve?

The competition between organizations in a market

The enforcement of legal frameworks

The exclusion of non-conforming entities

The diffusion of standardized norms and practices (correct)

Which international organizations are mentioned as influential in the diffusion of administrative trends?

IMF and World Bank

WTO and ASEAN

UN and OECD (correct)

NATO and EU

What is a primary driver behind states adopting similar administrative practices?

Economic benefit from governmental efficiency

The desire for legitimacy within international norms (correct)

Isolation from international standards

Competition among existing governments

The dominance of graduates from prestigious institutions in public service roles exemplifies which aspect of isomorphism?

Normative isomorphism Signup and view all the answers

What could a superficial isomorphic change result in?

Decoupling of formal procedures from actual practices Signup and view all the answers

How do professional networks contribute to normative isomorphism?

By sharing perspectives and norms among members Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes mimetic isomorphism?

Imitating successful practices of other organizations Signup and view all the answers

What does sociological institutionalism primarily aim to explain?

Reasons for organizations adopting new practices and structures Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the Anglo-American administrative tradition?

The state is one of the providers of services to citizens. Signup and view all the answers

Which tradition is characterized by a more organic relationship between state and society?

Germanic tradition. Signup and view all the answers

In which tradition does the state play a strong role in providing welfare?

Scandinavian tradition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of administrative traditions in postcolonial regions?

They combine native elements with colonial legacies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the continental European administrative tradition?

It prescribes a specific form of state organization. Signup and view all the answers

Which subtradition is typically further distinguished as being more hierarchist?

Napoleonic tradition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant criticism of the understanding of non-European administrative traditions?

They are treated with a strong Western bias. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the Anglo-American tradition?

It emphasizes the importance of limited government. Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the phenomenon where countries imitate successful models from frontrunners like the UK?

Mimetic isomorphism Signup and view all the answers

How has Sweden's approach to the agency trend been characterized?

Partial adoption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Germany's response to the agency trend?

Ceremonial adoption Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in Hungary following the peak of agencification?

Reversal and centralization Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of performance management was notably absent in Sweden prior to the adoption of the trend?

Management by results Signup and view all the answers

Which type of isomorphism is primarily driven by organizations that advocate for a specific practice, like the OECD's promotion of executive agencies?

Normative isomorphism Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the adoption trend in Germany regarding autonomy in agencies?

Symbolic changes with no managerial autonomy Signup and view all the answers

What common motivation underpinned Hungary's adoption of the agency trend initially?

Move away from communism Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of agencification in Hungarian politics reflect?

A growing preference for hierarchical control Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors influences the adaptation of international trends in public administration?

Political preferences Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the phenomenon where countries adopt parts of a trend in search of legitimacy?

Isomorphism Signup and view all the answers

In public administration, competing norms and ideas are often influenced by which of the following?

International organizations and professional networks Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary challenge in adapting an international public administration trend uniformly?

Path dependency Signup and view all the answers

What does historical institutionalism focus on in the context of public administration?

Legacies and past practices Signup and view all the answers

What is the main influence of historical institutionalism on public administration?

It emphasizes that historical choices lead to a trajectory that is challenging to modify. Signup and view all the answers

According to Ziblatt, what characteristic do federal nation-states' subnational sovereign governments possess?

Constitutionally embedded institutional characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of sociological institutionalism?

Goals and meanings are constructed through social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect reflects broader changes in public administration practices?

Emerging administrative trends Signup and view all the answers

How does sociological institutionalism view the pursuit of efficiency?

As a socially constructed agreement within a society. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traditions is typically included in the administrative traditions of Western Europe?

A Napoleonic tradition Signup and view all the answers

What issue did several former communist countries face when preparing for EU accession?

The necessity to overcome their communist legacies. Signup and view all the answers

In historical institutionalism, what is meant by 'path dependency'?

The idea that past choices shape future realities and decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the sociological institutionalism from rational choice institutionalism?

Sociological institutionalism emphasizes the construction of meaning. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the concept of administrative tradition considered 'messy'?

It combines various historical, cultural, and geographical elements. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term isomorphism refer to in organizational sociology?

The forces that make organizations in an organizational field increasingly similar. Signup and view all the answers

Why do organizations adopt new institutional practices according to sociological perspectives?

To gain social legitimacy in the eyes of stakeholders. Signup and view all the answers

According to DiMaggio and Powell, what is the main motivation for organizations, after early adopters, to adopt innovations?

To seek legitimacy rather than improved performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential outcome of isomorphic change as suggested by Meyer and Rowan?

Decoupling of external practices from internal practices. Signup and view all the answers

What type of organizations did DiMaggio and Powell suggest isomorphism could be applied to?

Any sector, including public, private, and third sectors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the driving force behind the organizational search for legitimacy?

Gaining approval from external stakeholders such as citizens and regulators. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of organizational change does isomorphism primarily focus on?

The uniformity of structures and procedures in an organizational field. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the result of genuine isomorphic change according to DiMaggio and Powell?

Increased efficiency in interactions with the external environment. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Video 1: Explaining Persistence and Change in PA

Hood summarized approaches to state organizations and public administration (PA) into four models:
- Hierarchist: Experts, formal rules, and procedures.
- Individualist: Market forces and competition.
- Egalitarian: Community and participation.
- Fatalist: Critique of the other three models.
These are ideal-type models (theoretical constructs) for organizing ideas and examples.
In reality, models often overlap and combine (layering).
Examples include Cameralists who combined hierarchist and egalitarian approaches, Frederic Taylor's emphasis on efficiency and scientific research (hierarchist), and Ancient Athenian democracy (egalitarian).
The hierarchist model is the most prominent in modern PA around the world, although other models are present in varying degrees.

Interactions of the Models in Practice

Interaction of models in practice: models often overlap and combine features.
Layering of models: Tools and practices from different models are often combined within organizations.

Video 2 Historical Institutionalism

Historical Institutionalism helps understand the enduring diversity in state structures.
It emphasizes historical development, timing, and sequencing of events in shaping current institutions.
Initial choices create a path that is difficult to change (path dependency).
Historical paths in PA include administrative traditions and legacies from past governments, including from colonial powers.
No single clear logic for classifying states; they are grouped into families sharing administrative traditions.
There are important variations in administrative traditions, Western administrative traditions are differentiated.
Western administrative traditions
- Anglo-American: The state is a provider of services, with a focus on limiting government intervention (individualistic model).
- Continental European: The state is hierarchically superior to society (hierarchist model often combined with elements from the Napoleonic or Germanic/central European tradition).
Non-European traditions include varying levels of governmental authority and structure.
The debate around these traditions faces challenges linked to extensive diversity.

Video 3: Sociological Institutionalism

Sociological institutionalism explains the adoption of trends in PA, independent of rational choice and historical institutionalism.
This perspective emphasizes how social structures, norms, and values affect individual actions.
Meaning, goals, and values are socially constructed.
Key concepts include isomorphism (processes driving similarity among organizations).
Isomorphism types
- Coercive: External pressure (e.g., laws, funding requirements).
- Mimetic: Imitation of perceived successful models.
- Normative: Shared norms and values concerning appropriate structures.
The adoption of certain structures/procedures is often in response to external pressure.

Video 4: Change and Persistence—The Example of Agencies

Agencification is the trend of creating independent agencies to handle executive tasks in government.
This trend started in the UK (Thatcher era) and spread to other countries.
Agencification is primarily motivated by a perceived need for increased efficiency in implementing government policies, but other factors such as path dependence, traditions, and norms are relevant
There's a trend of partial adoption of the trend (agencies) within different countries.
The adoption of agency structures in other countries isn’t uniform and often happens through various forms of isomorphism.

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Description

In this quiz, explore the four distinct models of public administration as summarized by Hood. Understand the characteristics of the hierarchist, individualist, egalitarian, and fatalist approaches, along with real-world examples and their interactions in practice. Test your knowledge on how these models combine and influence modern public administration.