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Management and Governance: Comparing Public Administration around the World

Module description

This module exposes you to the many different kinds of public administration around the world, including exploring the disparity between what regimes and governments say they do and what they actually do in terms of accountability and service delivery. The module uses your experiences to enliven this, drawing on the international experience of the students who are in the classroom with the aim of delivering as broad an understanding of the comparative context of the topic as can be achieved. The module examines some of the main issues and problems confronting public sector managers such as modernization, accountability in a complex age, ethical action, oversight, audit and private-public partnerships. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to explore comparative administrative theories, practice and processes and the importance of the context in which they operate. It also aims to enhance a critical awareness of the approaches of different political regimes to public administration and public sector management and to develop a Masters level practical and theoretical understanding of the impact of globalisation and de-territorialization on national and international governance. The module examines some of the main issues and problems confronting public sector managers such as modernization, accountability in a complex age, ethical action, oversight, audit and private-public partnerships.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Critically examine the importance of the temporal, geographical, social and economic context of public administration and demonstrate this by analysing real world examples using complex theoretical frameworks
• 2. Identify examples of best practice and evaluate their transferability to other jurisdictions
• 3. Explain the dynamics towards public administrative reform with reference to a range of theoretical models

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Appraise and critically evaluate government reports and public policy
• 5. Synthesize and comment critically on a corpus of academic literature
• 6. Link public administration concepts and theories to real world examples

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Undertake independent/self-directed learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment
• 8. Work as a participant or leader of a group and contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives
• 9. Reflect on the process of learning and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics in the order indicated:

1. Models, Myths and Paradigms; how do we know what we know;
2. The interpretation of facts and the importance of context;
3. Administrative Theories;
4. Administrative practice, the Anglo/American model; the European model; Administration in Africa; Asian models of Administration;
5. Global Governance and the de-territorialization of administration.
6. Issues and problems facing public administration.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Pollit, C, (2008), Time, Policy, Management: Governing with the Past, Oxford University Press.

KPMG, (2008), Holy Grail or Achievable Quest? International Perspectives on Public Sector Performance Management, London KPMG International.

Massey, A., and Pyper R, (2005), Public Management and Modernization in Britain, Palgrave.

Stillman, R. J., (Ed.), (2000), Public Administration: Concepts and Cases, Houghton Mifflin Company.

 Rosenbloom, D,. and Kravchuk, R, (2004), Public Administration : Understanding Management, Politics, and Law in the Public Sector, McGraw-Hill.

Adamolekun, L., (ed.) (1999), Public Administration in Africa: Main Issues and Selected Country Studies, Westview Pres.

Fraser-Moleketi, G (2005), The World We Could Win: Administering Global Governance, IOS Press

Huberts W, et al, (2008), Ethics and Integrity of Governance: Perspectives Across Frontiers, Edward Elgar Publishing

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

The module will be supported by ELE materials, including links to core texts

Key words search

Management, Governance, Comparing, Public, Administration