Understanding and Managing Public Organizations

by Rainey, Hal G.

• ISBN13: 9780470402924
• ISBN10: 047040292X
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-11-09
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Understanding and Managing Public Organizations provides a comprehensive analysis of research and practice on public organizations and management. In this fourth edition of his award-winning best seller, Hal Rainey reviews topics including organizational goals and performance, decision making and strategy, leadership, motivation, organizational structure and design, organizational change, and others. He analyzes effective and ineffective practices, with suggestions for managing contemporary and classic challenges in public organizations, and with illustrative vignettes and examples. Carefully revised and updated, this edition of Understanding and Managing Public Organizations extends previous editions with deeper coverage of collaboration and networks, public values, public service motivation, managerial strategy, performance assessment, innovation and organizational change, and recent trends in public sector management. Praise for the Previous Editions "The third edition of the classic text provides a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of research on public organizations and management. Drawing on a review of the most current research about government organizations and managers, this important source offers specific suggestions for managing these challenges in today's public organizations." Abstracts of Public Administration "A masterful textbook, as well as an important and original contribution to the public organization theory literature ? both comprehensive in its treatment of organization theory and decidedly 'public' in its perspective." Public Administration Review "A tremendous contribution to the field. Rainey's ability to synthesize research streams from a variety of fields such as political science, public administration, public policy, business administration, psychology, sociology, and others is outstanding." Jeffrey L. Brudney, Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service, Cleveland State University

Author Biography

Hal G. Rainey is Alumni Foundation Distinguished Professor at the University of Georgia. Rainey received the 2009 Dwight Waldo Award for Career achievement in public administration scholarship as well as the 1955 Charles H. Levine Award for Excellence in Public Administration Research, Teaching, and Public Service. The First edition of Understanding and Managing Public Organizations won the Best Book Award of the Public and Nonprofit Division of the Academy of Management.

Table of Contents

Figures, Tables, and Exhibits	p. vii
Preface	p. xi
The Author	p. xix
The Dynamic Context of Public Organizations
The Challenge of Effective Public Organization and Management	p. 3
Understanding the Study of Organizations: A Historical Review	p. 24
What makes Public Organisations: A Historical Review	p. 24
Analyzing the Environment of Public Organizations	p. 89
The Impact of Political Power and Public Policy	p. 110
Key Dimensions of Organizing and Managing
Organizational Goals and Effectiveness	p. 145
Formulating and Achieving Purpose: Power, Strategy, and Decision Making	p. 170
Organizational Structure, Design, Technology, and Information Technology	p. 201
Understanding People in Public Organizations: Values and Motives	p. 241
Understanding People in Public Organizations: Theories of Work Motivation and Work-Related Attitudes	p. 273
Leadership, Managerial Roles, and Organizational Culture	p. 314
Teamwork: Understanding Communication and Conflict in and Among Groups	p. 359
Strategies For Managing and Improving Public Organizations
Managing Organizational Change and Development	p. 383
Advancing Effective Management in the Public Sector	p. 419
References	p. 457
Name Index	p. 503
Subject Index	p. 513
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