Public Administration And Management In South Africa An Introduction

What is Public Administration? How does Public Management operate? Who are the key role-players? What are the principles, and how are these applied practically in the developmental context of South Africa? Addressing the broad topics that form the foundations of Public Administration and Management in South Africa, this text introduces and critically explores all foundational and functional aspects of the development, theories, principles, concepts, approaches and structure of public administration. Key topic areas are accessed in dedicated chapters to provide a solid grounding in the discipline. Students are orientated in the theoretical foundations of public administration and the practical implementation of public management in developmental South Africa, across local, provincial and national government spheres. Covering the role and function of core aspects of public administration and management, topics addressed include: public decision-making; service delivery and policy implementation; leadership and control; human resources management; public financial management; and ethics in the public sector. An expertly designed pedagogical framework supports and develops important academic skills such as critical thinking, practical application and data interpretation. Presented in a real, applied and visual manner, this engaging text is the essential introduction for all students of BAdmin, BA, BSocSci or BCom degrees in public administration and public management.

This ninth revised edition is intended as a textbook for university and technikon students as well as for officials who have to undergo in-service training. It can also be used by individuals who are interested in public affairs and who intend to play a role in party politics and government.

South Africa's Public Administration for Community Service (PACS) introduces an innovative approach to the study of Public Administration at the local level in South Africa. It is particularly informed by the growing emphasis on local governance and service delivery in the Republic of South Africa. PACS lays great emphasis on applying Public Administration principles to local governance issues towards achieving the four pillars of Public Administration (efficiency, effectiveness, economy and equity). The book adopts a multi-disciplinary approach that not only provides knowledge of local government administrative processes such as policy, human resources and finance, but also incorporates applied development knowledge areas critical to local governance such as development theories, study of community-based organisations and advocacy, community governance and monitoring and evaluation. This corpus of knowledge provides a multi-disciplinary scope to the study of Public Administration at the community or local level, which is vital to building a critical knowledge and skills base poised to tackle the huge challenges in local government in South Africa. About the Authors: Edwin Okey Chikata Ijeoma is presently the Chair and Head of Department of Public Administration at the University of Fort Hare. He is a Professor of Policy and Public Sector Economics and is a recognised scholar in Public Sector Monitoring and Evaluation. He was a pioneer Research Specialist at the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Secretariat in Johannesburg and serves as Policy Adviser to several public sector and development institutions in South Africa and abroad. Professor Ijeoma is the editor of Africa's Public Service Delivery and Performance Review (APSDPR), a public sector Monitoring and Evaluation Journal. Ogochukwu Iruoma Nzewi's research Interests lie in the theory and evolution of institutions as social and political actors in governance. Dr Nzewi also has interests in institution building and governance in the African Union. Her research and publication repertoire is versatile including policy, ethics and institution design. Dr Nzewi lectures Public Management and Administration at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape and is the deputy editor of Africa's Public Service Delivery and Performance Review (APSDPR). Modeni Michael Sibanda's research interests are in Governance, Public Sector Reform, Public Policy and Strategy, Public Participation, Development Planning and Local Government Administration. He has researched and published articles on governance, regional integration, intergovernmental relations and local government service delivery. Mr Sibanda presently lectures in Public Administration at the University of Fort Hare with specific focus in the areas of Local Government Administration and Research Methodology. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Administration (D. Admin) degree.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. In this Advanced Introduction, Christopher Pollitt starts a penetrating account of the theories, methods and possible trajectories of the study of public management, also examining the academic community itself, and its relationship to the world of practice. There is no more authoritative – or lively – text of such scope and focus. This is a stimulating analysis by a leading international scholar. It includes: · a global overview · a critical and authoritative analysis of the current state of the field · the location of academic research firmly in the real world context of austerity, climate and demographic change, and technological transformation · an examination of the relationship between academic study and the practice of public management · a look inside the ‘ivory tower’, at the forces changing the way the subject is studied and practised This truly unique work will be of particular interest to graduate students, advanced scholars, lecturers and trainers in public administration, public management, government, public policy, political science and development administration. Middle level and senior practitioners in public administration and public management will also find this an invaluable and sophisticated introduction.