Understanding and Managing Public Organizations, 4th Edition

by Hal G. Rainey (University of Georgia)

• ISBN13: 9780470528686
• ISBN10: 0470528680
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-10-01
• 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

Table of Contents

Figures, Tables, and Exhibits

Preface

The Author

The Dynamic Context Of Public Organizations

The Challenge of Effective Public Organization and Management

Understanding the Study of Organizations: A Historical Review

What Makes Public Organizations Distinctive

Analyzing the Environment of Public Organizations

The Impact of Political Power and Public Policy

Key Dimensions Of Organizing And Managing

Organizational Goals and Effectiveness

Formulating and Achieving Purpose: Power, Strategy, and Decision Making

Organizational Structure, Design, Technology, and Information Technology

Understanding People in Public Organizations: Values and Motives

Understanding People in Public Organizations: Theories of Work Motivation and Work-Related Attitudes

Leadership, Managerial Roles, and Organizational Culture

Teamwork: Understanding Communication and Conflict in and Among Groups

Strategies For Managing And Improving Public Organizations

Managing Organizational Change and Development

Advancing Effective Management in the Public Sector

References

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.