Organization Theory and the Public Sector

Instrument, Culture and Myth

Tom Christensen author Per Laegreid author Kjell Arne Røvik author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:26th Mar '20

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Organization Theory and the Public Sector cover

Public-sector organizations are fundamentally different from their private-sector counterparts. They are part of the society’s political organizations and are major political actors. They are multifunctional, follow a political leadership and the majority do not operate in an external market. In an era of rapid reform, reorganization and modernization of the public sector, this book offers a timely and illuminating introduction to the public-sector organization that recognizes its unique values, interests, knowledge and power base.

Drawing on both instrumental and institutional perspectives within organization theory, as well as democratic theory and empirical studies of decision-making, the book addresses five central aspects of the public-sector organization:

■ goals, values and motivation

■ leadership and steering

■ reform and change

■ effects, learning and implications

■ understanding and design

The book challenges conventional economic analysis of the public sector, arguing instead for a political-democratic approach and a new prescriptive organization theory. A rich resource of both theory and practice, Organization Theory and the Public Sector: Instrument, Culture and Myth is essential reading for anybody studying the public sector.

This second edition of the book contains a range of new and updated themes, examples and references.

"Students of the public sector often forget that governments are composed of organizations, and that to understand governing we also need to understand how organizations function. This book is a welcome antidote to thinking about government in only individualistic or economic terms. Christensen, Lægreid and Røvik help us understand better the complex and subtle interactions within and among organizations in the public sector, and provide very useful perspective on governing."

Professor B. Guy Peters, Maurice Falk Professor of American Government, University of Pittsburgh

"Christensen, Lægreid and Røvik convincingly demonstrate that insights from organization theories provide an indispensable basis for understanding the complex organization of states. Furthermore, by their rich analysis of problems, dilemmas and solutions in public organizations, they illustrate that the study of state organization is vital for developing organization theory."

Professor Nils Brunsson, Professor of Management, Uppsala University and Score

"Complex societies require a complex set of organizations. This book unpacks the complexity and hybridity of organizations by looking at their instrumental, cultural, and mythical side. When public sector organizations become part of societal solutions, this book becomes part of how to understand and develop organizations that will solve our problems."

Professor Geert Bouckaert, KU Leuven Public Governance Institute

ISBN: 9780367428914

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 346g

220 pages

2nd edition