Part IV. Administrative reforms and performance of PA

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Questions and Answers

What does performance in public administration primarily refer to?

The act of doing something and the success of that action. (correct)

The accountability of public administrators.

Only the efficiency of public services.

The act of managing resources effectively.

Which model focuses primarily on the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of public administration?

Balanced Scorecard Model

Systems Theory Model

Outcome-Based Performance Model

3Es Model (correct)

How is efficiency defined in the context of public administration performance?

The total revenue generated by public services.

The clarity and transparency of public processes.

The satisfaction level of service users.

Technical efficiency and allocative efficiency. (correct)

What does the IOO model evaluate in the performance of public organizations?

Inputs, outputs, and outcomes of services. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does 'effectiveness' measure in public administration?

The achievement of formal objectives of public service. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the service production function, what is broken down into smaller steps?

The activities of a public agency. Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for defining efficiency in terms of outputs and inputs?

Outputs divided by Inputs Signup and view all the answers

Which dimension does 'equity and fairness' relate to in public administration performance?

Outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is efficiency defined as in the performance framework?

The ratio of outputs to inputs Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does effectiveness emphasize in performance evaluation?

The achievement of desired results by outputs Signup and view all the answers

Why is the concept of responsiveness important in public administration performance?

It addresses the needs and preferences of the public Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following critiques is mentioned regarding classic performance models?

They emphasize technical efficiency over allocative efficiency Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered a significant aspect in determining performance outcomes?

Internal communication processes Signup and view all the answers

Why is measuring responsiveness important for staff satisfaction?

It reflects the motivation levels of public servants Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between expenditure levels and performance according to the critiques?

Expenditures do not predict performance outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of efficiency discussed in the context of performance evaluation?

Technical and allocative efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Public Service Motivation (PSM)?

Willingness to contribute to public processes Signup and view all the answers

Which dimension of PSM is characterized by a commitment to help others?

Compassion Signup and view all the answers

What demographic factor has been found to influence PSM scores?

Gender Signup and view all the answers

How do individual traits and experiences relate to PSM?

They can affect the degree of PSM an individual possesses. Signup and view all the answers

Which management practice can negatively impact PSM?

Implementing performance-related pay Signup and view all the answers

What is one strategy public administration could adopt to enhance PSM?

Recruit staff based on public service motivation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a determinant of PSM under managers' control?

Family history Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment should public managers create to support PSM?

A supportive work environment that fosters PSM Signup and view all the answers

What do the declining net running costs relative to departmental expenditure limits suggest? (Hood and Dixon, 2015)

Success in controlling administrative costs Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant outcome of the Gershon efficiency initiatives?

Improvement in controlling administrative costs Signup and view all the answers

Which model emphasizes recruitment by merit as a cornerstone of bureaucracy?

Classic Weberian model Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the patrimonial, politicized model in public service recruitment?

Family ties and political connections Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable critique of the efficiencies introduced by New Public Management (NPM)? (Hood and Dixon, 2015)

They failed to lower gross costs Signup and view all the answers

What do research findings suggest about meritocracy-based recruitment?

It contributes to better overall competence and lower corruption Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Human Resources Management (HRM) in public administration?

Employment conditions of public personnel Signup and view all the answers

What does the outcome of the post-Gershon era indicate about reported improvements?

They may be influenced by shifts in reporting practices Signup and view all the answers

What is a major advantage of using mixed methods in research?

It facilitates triangulation of insights from different sources. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of qualitative case studies in mixed-methods research?

They develop hypotheses and theories to be tested later. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced in public administration (PA) research?

Access to documents and statistics can be limited. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the first level of analysis in mixed-methods complex designs?

Research design and goals. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a reverse order approach in mixed-methods research?

Statistically analyzing a large dataset before examining individual cases. Signup and view all the answers

Why is common source bias a significant concern in PA research?

It can distort relationships derived from surveys. Signup and view all the answers

What is typically NOT a consideration researchers face when selecting their research strategy (RS)?

Personal preferences of the researchers. Signup and view all the answers

How do researchers usually collect qualitative data in mixed methods?

Using interviews and document analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of a typical case in qualitative research?

To illustrate and confirm the case relationship Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an extreme case in qualitative research?

It shows an extreme value on variable X or Y Signup and view all the answers

Which type of case aims to explore new explanations of the relationship issue?

Deviant case Signup and view all the answers

In qualitative research, what is the primary focus of most-different cases?

To analyze cases that deviate on specified variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of utilizing comparison cases in qualitative research?

They help generalize the findings by providing different perspectives Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a critical/influential case in the context of qualitative research?

It is significant in addressing an important issue within the relationship Signup and view all the answers

What type of case is characterized by its typical reflection of the relationship under study?

Typical case Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor for selecting a case in qualitative research?

Its relevance to extreme variations within the data Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Administrative Reforms and Performance in PA Research

PA research origins in practical questions about organizing public administration to serve the public good.
Current questions involve structures, processes, and procedures of administration, which are continually reorganized.
Trends include decentralization, outsourcing, agencification, and new internal procedures like performance management.
Procedural reforms also involve technological innovation and increasing citizen participation in public service provision.
Studies analyze the effects of administrative reforms, focusing on effectiveness, efficiency, and citizen participation/satisfaction.
Management interventions on administrative performance are a key area of study.

Conceptualizing Performance

Performance is a broad term encompassing the act of doing something and the success of that action.
PA and PM research uses performance to refer to how an administration functions and its output.
Traditionally, the focus was on quantifiable aspects of performance (how well/how much).
The 3Es (economy, efficiency, effectiveness) model assesses the cost of inputs, output-input ratios, and the attainment of objectives, respectively.
The IOO (inputs, outputs, outcomes) model evaluates inputs and outputs, and the outcomes produced.
Performance in PA is not merely output but can also encompass equity, citizen satisfaction, and other dimensions.
The service production function assesses performance as various steps in a process, with outputs depending on inputs, organization processes, and impacts from the environment.

Administrative Reform as a Policy Field

Administrative reforms are a policy field, separate but interconnected in the policy cycle.
Reforms address recognized problems in existing administrations.
The entire policy cycle, including agenda setting, proposal formation, implementation, and evaluation, is important to understand administrative reforms.
Scholars evaluate these reforms by assessing the policy process, political conflicts, and actual performance.

Methods in PA Research

PA research uses multiple methods from social science, sometimes combining qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Measurement methods for administrative actions should capture actual behaviors and be consistent among assessors, relative to their context, and actionable.
These methods may use archival data (collected and existing data) or perceptual data (reports from individuals' perceptions).

The New Public Management (NPM)

NPM is a set of administrative reforms that originated in the 1980s in English-speaking countries.
It was (and still is) associated with "reinventing government" to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Main aspects include disaggregation (smaller units), competition, and incentives.
NPM involves contracts, performance measurement, and output control.
Often contrasted with traditional bureaucratic approaches.
NPM's impact, effectiveness, and legacy are still being researched and debated.

The Effects of NPM

NPM reforms may increase gross costs while potentially decreasing net costs.
The effects on performance outcomes are subject to debate.
Contemporary scholars question the efficiency of NPM reforms and call for new approaches that consider contextual factors, including those beyond cost and performance data.
Reforms in this area may be influenced by social circumstances and the political context.

Personnel and HRM Reforms

PA research recognizes different models of personnel management, moving from Weberian to post-bureaucratic approaches.
The Weberian meritocratic model emphasizes recruitment based on qualifications.
The post-bureaucratic models involve merit-based recruitment in the context of a specific position.
Current trends in public administration consider HRM reforms in different contexts and with varying outcomes.

Public Service Motivation (PSM)

PSM is a concept explaining why people are motivated to work in public service.
It includes the motivation to do good for society, often separate from financial incentives.
The origins, context, and consequences of PSM are crucial to understanding public service.
PSM can impact the functioning of administrations, particularly in personnel management.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts of public administration performance. This quiz covers topics such as efficiency, effectiveness, and various performance models that impact public organizations. Perfect for students and professionals alike to brush up on essential theories and evaluation criteria.