GROUP WORK
Question
Managers in the public sector play different roles in ensuring that the sector operates effectively
and efficiently. As a student who had just completed a course in business and public administration,
explain the roles public sector managers play in modern public sector organizations.
Public sector managers are individuals responsible for leading and managing organizations in the
public sector, which includes government agencies, non-profit organizations, and public institutions.
Their primary goal is to serve the public interest and achieve social and political objectives.
The three broad roles of a public sector managers are:
*Interpersonal Role
*Informational Role
*Decisional Role
1. *Interpersonal Role*: This role involves managing relationships and interacting with various
stakeholders, including:
*Figurehead
*Leader
*Liaison
*Figurehead*
As a symbolic head of an organization, the public sector manager must perform duties of legal or
ceremonial nature. Examples of such activities are welcoming official visitors and signing letters of
retiring employees. This role sees to it that staff feel connected to each other and to the institution,
to support the policies and decisions made on behalf of the organization and to work harder for the
good of the institution.
*Leader:*
As a leader, the public sector manager directs and coordinates the activities of his subordinates.
He encourages them to perform excellently as well as train, counsel and motive them. A public
sector manager derives his role as a leader both from formal authority and his personal qualities –
reputation, skills and personality which affect employee behavior.
*Liaison*
By linking and coordinating the activities of the employees within and outside the organization, a
manager will be performing his role as a liaison.
2. *Informational Roles*
One of the resources which the organization can use to strategically position itself is information.
By performing this role the manager ensures that information is best managed.
The set of three roles here is: *Monitor
*Disseminator
*Spokesperson
*Monitor*
As a monitor, the public sector manager gathers and analyses information both internally and
externally and comes out with best decisions.
• With such information a manager can organize and control/match the resources and activities of
the firm.
• *Disseminator*
As a disseminator, the public sector manager after gathering and analyzing information, transmits
them to the appropriate quarters for action(s) to be taken.
• Information transmitted helps influence the activities and behaviors of members of the
organization. The manager who calls a staff meeting following a business trip is playing the
disseminator role.
• *Spokesperson*
As a spokesperson, a public sector manager uses information to promote the organization positively.
He acts as a mouthpiece for the organization so that people within and outside respond favorably to
it.
For example a public sector manager of an organization will represent the staff members at
managers’ meeting to present issues that bothers the staff.
3. *Decisional Role*: This role involves making decisions and taking actions to. The Decisional
Role in public sector management involves making choices and taking actions to achieve
organizational goal.
The set of four roles are:
*Entrepreneur
*Disturbance handler
*Resource Allocator
*Negotiator
1. *Entrepreneur*: Identifying opportunities and taking calculated risks to innovate and improve
services.
2. *Disturbance Handler*: Addressing unexpected problems or crises, such as natural disasters or
political conflicts.
3. *Resource Allocator*: Distributing resources, like funding, personnel, or equipment, to prioritize
programs and projects.
4. *Negotiator*: Bargaining with stakeholders, like labor unions, contractors of other government
agencies ,to reach agreements.
In conclusion, public sector managers play a vital role in delivering public services and achieving
social and political objectives. They must navigate complex roles, including interpersonal,
informational, and decisional responsibilities, to make informed decisions and drive positive
change. Effective public sector management is crucial for maintaining public trust and improving
the lives of citizens.
GROUP MEMEBERS
Akomeah Stella Sakyi
052220910041
Salman Suraj
052220910018
Gifty Acheampong
052220910036
Abdul-Rahman Kawsal
052220910048
052220910046
Asare bright Kofi
Marcell Brun
052220910001