IGNOU BOOK | Perspectives on Public Administration[BPAC-131] English medium

Product Overview & Details

BPAC-131 – Perspectives on Public Administration

Meaning:

BPAC-131 deals with the different perspectives or approaches used to understand Public Administration. It explains how administrative thought developed over time and how different scholars viewed organisations, employees, decision-making, development, and governance.

Major Perspectives

• Classical PerspectiveFocuses on organisational structure, rules, hierarchy, division of work and efficiency.
• Important thinkers include F.W. Taylor, Henri Fayol and Max Weber.
• Neo-Classical PerspectiveGives importance to the human side of administration.
• Focuses on employee behaviour, social relationships, motivation and informal groups.
• Behavioural PerspectiveStudies the actual behaviour of people within organisations.
• Herbert Simon gave major importance to decision-making and the concept of bounded rationality.
• Systems PerspectiveLooks at administration as a system connected with its environment.
• Changes in society, economy and politics can influence administration.
• Development AdministrationFocuses on the role of administration in achieving economic and social development.
• Particularly important for developing countries.
• New Public Administration (NPA)Emphasises social equity, justice, citizen needs and responsiveness.
• Argues that administration should address social problems, not focus only on efficiency.
• New Public Management (NPM)Introduces management techniques into the public sector.
• Emphasises performance, efficiency, accountability and results.
• Governance PerspectiveGoes beyond government alone.
• Recognises the role of government, private organisations, civil society and citizens in solving public problems.
• Emphasises cooperation, networks and participation.