Introduction to Public
Administration
Prof. Melinda N. Casauay,MPA
Part I: Meaning, Nature,
Scope and Significance of
Public Administration
Meaning of Public
Administration
Administer is a English word, which is
originated from the Latin word ‘ad’ and
‘ministrare’. It means to “serve or to
manage”. Administration means
management of affairs, public or private.
Views of Public
Administration
Views of Public Administration
As a Field of Practice
According to Waldo (1955), PA has dual usages: as a
field of practice and a field of study. The meaning
invoked is the activity or process of administering
public affairs and carrying out governmental
functions.
Example of PA practices
Enacting a law
Making decision on the best policy concerning an issue
Formulating the MTPDP
Maintaining peace and order
Processing of claims
Building roads and bridges
Issuance of license
Setting standard and Processes
Views of Public Administration
As a Field of Study or Discipline
PA is concerned with discovering and advancing
theoretical and practical knowledge in the field using
scientific methods and other social sciences use
PA differs from political science in its emphasis on
bureaucratic structure and behavior and its
methodologies (Rossenbloom, 1989)
Example of PA as a field of study
Empirical studies
Case method analysis
Surveys
Quantitative analysis
What is the PA subject matter or
focus to be studied?
Example of PA as a field of study
how a policy is made and implemented
The interrelationship between government institutions
Human Resource development
Impact of environmental regulation on communities and
economic activities
the behavior and attitude of public officials as the perform
their official duties
Leadership styles of public managers
Mechanisms adopted by poverty-focused programs
The relations of government and the citizens
What is also considered an applied
discipline?
It has practical use for government,
particularly in improving government
performance
it prepares persons for careers in public
service and trains them to be good public
administrators
Views of Public Administration
As: Both an Art and a Science
As an Art:
PA involves creativity, leadership, a good
sense of the intangibles in administration.
This view is closely to the practice of PA
Views of Public Administration
As: Both an Art and a Science
As a Science:
There is a body of knowledge or theories that
can explain or predict phenomenon or variables in
the field of PA
The PA theories and concepts are built based on
empirical research using systematic methods
These theories can be used not only to explain
but also improve the art and practice of PA
(Bautista, 1990)
Definition of Public
Administration
Waldo, 1955
Wlad
PA is the organization and management of men
and materials too achieve the purposes of
government
PA is the art and science of management as
applied to the affairs of the state
Definition of Public
Administration
Caiden, 1971
is a cooperative group effort in a public setting
covers all three branches – executive, legislative and
judicial and interrelationships
has important role in the formulation of public policy and
is , thus, part of the political process
as a field of study and practice , it has been influenced by
human relations approach
is closely associated with numerous private groups and
individuals in providing services to the community
Definition of Public
Administration
Fry, 1989
PA is policy-making. It is not autonomous, exclusive
or isolated policy making.
PA is one of a number of basic political processes by
which this people achieves and controls governance
Definition of Public
Administration
Rossenbloom, 1989
PA is the action part of government. The means by which the purposes
and goals of government are realized. PA as a field is mainly concerned
with the means for implementing political values
PA differs from political science in its emphasis on bureaucratic
structure and behavior and its methodologies
PA differs from administrative science in the evaluative techniques
used by non profit organizations because profit-seeking organizations are
considerably less constrained in considering public interest in their
decision-making structures and the behavior of their administrators
Definition of Public
Administration
De Guzman, 1993
From a very broad perspective, PA may be viewed to
refer not only in activities carrying out or implementing
policies and programs of the government but also to the
processes and contents of these policies and programs
From a broader perspective, PA may refer to the
cooperative human action whether within the public
bureaucracy, the private sector or in nongovernmental
organizations aimed at delivering servi9ces to the people
Definition of Public
Administration
Rossenbloom, 1989
The process of PA consists of the actions involved in
effecting the intent or desire of a government . It is thus
the continuously active, “business” part of government,
concerned with carrying out the law, as made by the
legislative bodies (or other authoritative agents)and
interpreted by courts, through the processes of
organization and management
Functions Public Administration (POSDCORB)
‘P’ stands for planning
‘O’ stands for organization
‘S’ stands for staffing.
‘D’ stands for Directing.
‘Co.’ stands for Co-ordination.
‘R’ stands for Reporting
‘B’ stands for Budgeting
Functions Public Administration (POSDCORB)
‘P’ stands for planning
‘O’ stands for organization
‘S’ stands for staffing.
‘D’ stands for Directing.
‘Co.’ stands for Co-ordination.
‘R’ stands for Reporting
‘B’ stands for Budgeting
Administrative theory
Organizational Theory
Behavior
Public Personal Administration
Administrative theory
Organizational Theory
Behavior
Public Personal Administration
Applied Administration
Political functions
Legislative function
Financial functions
Defense
Educational function
Educational function
Economic Administration
Foreign administration
Scope of Public Administration
Scope of Public Administration
It is the basis of government.
It is the instrument of change in the
society.
It plays vital role in the life of the
people.
It is an instrument for executing laws,
policies, programmes of the state.
Scope of Public Administration
It is a stabilising force in the society
as it provides continuity.
It is instrument of national integration
in the developing countries which are
facing classwars.
Changing Nature of PA
Public and Private Administration
Criteria Public Administration Private Administration
[Link] to environment subject to public Less exposed to public
scrutiny; public demand inspection; internal
and expectations; political processes are kept from
pressures public; response to public
guided by market dynamics
2. Accountability Accountable to the management
public; transparency in accountable to owners of
transactions is expected firms/corporations
3. Measure of general public profit is bottomline
performance satisfaction is the gauge in
the improvement in the
quality of life
4. Nature of goods and open to all availment based on
services ones ability to pay
Reference:
Bautista, Victoria. (Cited in Supplementary Readings.)
Caiden, Gerald. (Cited in the Supplementary Readings.)
Fry, Brian. “Five Great Issues in the Profession of public Administration” in Jack
Rabin, W. Bartley Hildreth, Gerald J. Miller (eds). Handbook of Public
Administration, New York: Marcel Dekker, 1989.
Ocampo, Romeo. “Toward a Review of Research and knowledge in Philippines
Public Administration” in Victoria A. Bautista, Ma. Concepcion P. Alfiler, Danilo R.
Reyes, Proserpina D. Tapales (eds.) Introduction to Public Administration in the
Philippines; A Reader, Quezon City: College of Public Administration, University of
the Philippines, 1993.
Rosen bloom, David H. and Deborah D. Goldman. “The Practice and Discipline of
Public Administration: Competing Concerns” in David Rosen bloom (ed) Public
Administration: Understanding Management, Politics and law in the Public Sector,
New York: Random House, 1989.
Module Introduction to PA, Open University, UP, NCPAG, Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines