Creating Human Value As Public Management Theory

Creating Human Value as Public Management Theory

Creating Human Value (CHV) is a powerful public management theory that places the person at the centre of all decision-making. It is founded on millennia-old natural law philosophy, updated to cope with contemporary problems. At the heart of CHV is the ideal of human flourishing – this is achieved through pursuing the common good, via public policy, in a way that respects human dignity. To paraphrase Socrates, it is about caring for the city, rather than merely the city’s possessions. This book is the product of almost a decade of research and teaching of this compelling alternate public management theory to government decision-makers in Australia and abroad. In sum, CHV is a much-needed antidote to currently popular public management approaches that have unduly prioritized the common good over dignity with catastrophic consequences for the lives of many people. This book will appeal to readers interested in public management, public policy, and government.

Administration in Mental Health

Organization Theory and Public Management

Organization Theory and Public Management is written for current and future public managers. Understanding organization theory helps managers at all levels define program objectives, overcome constraints, and accomplish mandated purposes. Armed with theoretical and conceptual knowledge, managers can better identify the factors that affect organizational performance, determine how these factors interrelate, and decide how best to resolve problems and attain goals. Familiarity with organization theory can facilitate fresh ways to view organizational challenges and discover new paths for pursuing change. Organization theory, supported by intuition and common sense, can be a powerful guide to action. The book approaches each organization theory school of thought on its own terms, drawing out its implications for public management as objectively as possible. Chapter 1 introduces organization theory as a field of study, chapter 2 establishes the unique context of public management, and chapter 3 presents three analytical frameworks for assessing the theories of organization covered in the twelve chapters that follow.