Contrast between public and private purposes More than just efficiency and effectiveness Must pursue democratic values –Individualism – worth of individuals –Equality –Liberty Multiple stakeholders –Elected officials –Legislators –Interest groups –Private citizens

Managerial approach – closest to private business, with a focus on efficiency Political approach – concerned with effectiveness, responsiveness and safeguards (liberty interests) Legalistic approach – emphasizes applying rules (distinguish between laws and regulations) –Non-governmental orgs. can also have public purposes. Examples? Approaches to public administration

Public purposes Characteristics –Ambiguity: Outcomes may be hard to measure (e.g., profit - vs - “the public welfare”) –Pluralistic decisionmaking - many parties may be affected and will demand input –Visibility - decisions may draw press coverage Special tensions –Efficiency must give way to responsiveness (place the IRS in a force-field) –Conflicts are likely where profit is necessary (e.g., USPS, HMO’s, etc.)

Workspace of Public organizations Must be responsive to the public, elected officials, legislators and constituents Structure and processes must take into account... Politics Management concerns Ethics Govt. and business often interact –Govt. is a customer –Govt. is a regulator –Govt. economic policies influence business climate