chapter One
Professional Management and Public Organizations
Contemporary Public Administration
Prepared by: Dr. Hazem Hebish
(Integrated with Chapter One – Prof. Abd El-Hamid Abonaam)
1. Introduction: Why Is Management Important?
There is no developed country and underdeveloped country.
There is:
• Successful management
• Unsuccessful management
Good management creates:
• Successful institutions
• Strong government
• Developed society
Bad management creates:
• Weak institutions
• Poor services
• Backward society
Public organizations are very large and complex.
They serve millions of citizens and spend billions of pounds every year.
Therefore:
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Professional management is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
2. Meaning of Public Administration
The term Public Administration consists of two words:
Administration
Originally from Latin:
• Ad = to
• Minster = serve
Administration means:
To serve.
Public
Means: all people in the state.
So:
Public Administration means managing government organizations to serve all citizens.
3. Who Are Public Administrators?
Public administrators are:
• Ministers
• Governors
• Heads of cities
• Directors
• Public employees
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They work in:
• Health
• Education
• Security
• Housing
• Transportation
• Justice
Public organizations exist to provide service to citizens.
4. Why Public Organizations Are Different?
Public organizations:
• Serve millions of people
• Spend huge budgets
• Deal with sensitive services
We may accept:
• A defective product
But we cannot accept:
• Weak army
• Weak police
• Poor hospitals
• Bad education
Public work must be professional.
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5. Criticism of Traditional Public Administration
Many people criticize public organizations because they are:
• Ineffective
• Too bureaucratic
• Slow
• Low quality
• Not innovative
• Not concerned with citizens
This created:
• Dissatisfaction
• Lack of trust
• Crisis of confidence
Therefore:
Changing public administration became necessary.
6. Revolution in Public Administration
Public Administration passed through many reforms.
In the 1970s, especially in the UK, a major change happened.
This change was called:
New Public Management (NPM)
NPM is a revolution in how public organizations are managed.
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It moves from:
• Rigid bureaucracy
To
• Flexible, result-oriented management
7. What is New Public Management (NPM)?
NPM is an approach that applies private sector management principles in public
organizations.
It focuses on the 3 Es:
1. Efficiency
2. Economy
3. Effectiveness
It tries to make public organizations:
• More business-like
• More flexible
• More citizen-friendly
It is a paradigm shift from traditional public administration to modern management.
8. Features of New Public Management
1. Citizen Empowerment
Citizens have freedom of choice.
Government must respect them as clients.
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2. Decentralization
Less central control.
More authority to local levels.
3. Restructuring Government
Government divides sectors into smaller units.
Uses contracts with private sector when needed.
4. Goal Orientation
Focus on results, not only procedures.
Use KPIs and performance measurement.
5. Cost Cutting & Income Growth
Reduce waste.
Increase government revenue efficiently.
6. Managerial Support Services
• Hire best talents
• Offer good salaries
• Provide training
7. Secure Better Service to Citizens
Main goal: High-quality service.
9. Do We Need Professional Management?
The answer is: YES.
In the past, the state only had 3 main functions:
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• Security
• Defense
• Judiciary
Today, government is responsible for:
• Health
• Education
• Housing
• Transportation
• Social welfare
The role became much bigger.
Peter Drucker said:
“Effective management is probably the main resource of developed countries and the
most needed resource of developing countries.”
Developing countries need professional management even more than developed
countries.
10. Why Do We Study NPM?
We study NPM for four main reasons:
1. Preparing Future Leaders
Presidents, ministers, governors must manage professionally.
2. Developing Managerial Skills
You may work in:
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• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Tourism
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
You need management skills.
3. Interaction Between Business and Government
Even if you work in private sector, you deal with government.
4. Government Affects Our Lives
Government decisions affect:
• Education
• Health
• Security
• Economy
Understanding NPM helps improve these services.
11. Public Administration Approaches
Before NPM, scholars studied public administration using different approaches:
1. Legal Approach
Focus on laws and rules.
Criticism: Too rigid and bureaucratic.
2. Behavioral Approach
Focus on human behavior and motivation.
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3. Analytical Approach
Use scientific methods and data for decision-making.
4. Comparative Approach
Compare different countries.
5. Administrative Approach
Treat public organizations like private ones.
This approach believes:
There is no major difference between public and private organizations.
This is the approach followed in this course.
12. The Need for Merit and Professionalism
Public organizations must be led by professionals, not only politicians.
Efficiency in management must be the ultimate goal.
As Shakespeare said:
“Whichever government is best administered is the best.”
Success depends on management quality.
13. Practical Reflection
Ask yourself:
• Is Egypt’s problem lack of money?
• Or lack of management?
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Is public organization success based on:
• Seniority?
Or
• Competence?
Professional management creates:
• Strong institutions
• Better services
• Citizen satisfaction
Chapter Conclusion
New Public Management is not just a theory.
It is:
• A reform movement
• A management revolution
• A shift from procedures to results
• A shift from power focus to citizen focus
As future managers and leaders:
You are responsible for:
✔ Improving public service
✔ Applying professional management
✔ Serving citizens with respect and efficiency
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