Managerial influences in public administration

Abstract

This paper presents a discussion of the influence of managerialist values on the field of public administration. The author begins by developing a definition of managerialism consisting of four components: efficiency as the primary value guiding managers1 actions and decisions; faith in the tools and techniques of management; a class consciousness among managers; and a view of managers as moral agents. The paper next considers the influence of managerialism on the development of the field of public administration. The analysis centers on the early history of the field, but also discusses the ongoing influence of the managerialist mindset. The author then turns to consideration of three alternative approaches to public administration theory and practice which have arisen as challenges to the dominance of the managerialist mindset within the discipline. Specifically, the values and assumptions underlying the work of selected writers associated with the New PA, the Blacksburg group, and PA Theorists are discussed. The paper closes by contrasting these alternative views of public administration to managerialism and considering the extent to which they represent major challenges to its dominance or simply reflect variations of the same theme.

Citation

David Edwards, J. (1998), "Managerial influences in public administration", International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, Vol. 1 No. 4, pp. 553-583. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-01-04-1998-B007