Exploring Public Administration: An Introduction

With an approachable "pracademic" perspective that blends theory with on-the-job experience, Exploring Public Administration offers an engaging introduction to public administration. Authors Samantha Mosier and Casey Fleming use specific examples and clear prose to illustrate the dynamics between public management and policymaking across the federal, state, local, and nonprofit levels. Practitioner-written case studies connect concepts to practice and offer insight into the day-to-day work of public servants, and a chapter on getting into the civil service offers advice for students considering a career in the field.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgements About the Authors Chapter 1: Introduction What Is Public Administration? Our Dual Approach to the Study of Public Administration Public Is Not Like Private Administration The Four E’s: Values of Public Administration Public Administration – The Discipline in Review Conclusion Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Resources Chapter 2: The Bureaucracy and Its Government Role Bureaucracy as the 4th Branch The Structure of the 4th Branch Public Policy and the Policy Process The Policy Activities of the Bureaucracy The Implementation & Oversight Activities of the Bureaucracy Summary Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Resources Chapter 03: Decision-Making Theoretical Approaches to Decision-Making Applied Decision-Making The Importance of Information Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 4: Budgeting Budgeting Basics Approaches and Types of Budgeting The Public Budget Process It’s All About the Benjamins: Revenue and Spending in Government Conclusion Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 5: Organizational Theory and Design What Are Organizations? What Is Organizational Theory? Organizations as Closed Systems: Early Approaches to Organizations Organizations as Open Systems: A Mid-20th Century Shift in Perspective Economic Theories of Organizations Conclusion Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 6: The Civil Service and Labor Relations A History of the Civil Service Merit and Civil Service Principles The Legal Framework of the Government Workplace Labor Relations in the Public Service Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 7: Strategic Human Resource Management The Changing Landscape of Public Human Resource Management Position Management: Defining Needs and Jobs Recruitment: Attracting the Next Generation of Public Servants Selection: Who to Hire? Who to Promote? Compensation and Benefits: Rewarding Employees Training and Development Appraising Employee Performance Conclusion Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 08: Leadership and Management Leadership in Public Organizations Theories And Approaches to Studying Leadership Other Factors of Leadership Followership Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 09: Accountability and Ethics Defining Ethics Managing Ethics in Public Administration Accountability Revisited Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 10: Implementation Studying Implementation Organizations’ Performance-Based Challenges Intergovernmental and Collaboration Challenges Implementation in the Age of the Internet Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 11: Evaluation and Assessment The Importance of Reflection Performance Management Policy Analysis Program Evaluation Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Chapter 12: Getting Into the Civil Service The Benefits and Drawbacks of Civil Service Getting Started Advancing Your Career Chapter Summary Review Questions Discussion Questions Further Recommended Readings Appendix 1: Check Your Progress Answer Key Glossary

About the Author :
Samantha L. Mosier, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Associate Director of the Water Resources Center at East Carolina University. She teaches courses on research design, public policy, and environmental policy and serves as a core faculty member in the Master of Public Administration program. Her research interests focus on resilience and sustainability at the subnational level with additional work in the areas of partisan dietary behavior and food labeling. Casey J. Fleming, Ph.D., is an associate professor of public administration in the Department of Political Science and Director of the Master of Public Administration program at East Carolina University. He teaches courses on public and nonprofit management, performance, and human resources. His research interests primarily focus on bureaucracy, workplace rules, and prosocial behavior. 

Review :
Mosier and Fleming present an insightful analysis of public administration′s challenges—policy implementation, bureaucracy, and accountability—while offering innovative solutions. Essential for students and professionals alike, this work is a beacon for navigating modern governance. A great new text that covers the breadth of the field of public administration in a way that is accessible and understandable to students. Exploring Public Administration gives students a bird′s-eye overview of the sector, while also performing dazzling deep dives into innovative historic and cultural examples. This text would benefit professors of introductory-level public administration or politics and policy courses. A masterful examination of contemporary public administration. Essential reading for both scholars and practitioners as it offers scholarly information and practical insights into the complexities of public service. Samantha Mosier and Casey Fleming have an ability to talk to introductory students in public administration. This ease of reading makes grasping concepts much easier for students. A fresh, captivating look at the driving forces behind public administration. This text is a comprehensive approach to public administration and provides students with insight into the history of the field as well as major pertinent issues that impact public service and bureaucracy. This text blends a practitioner′s perspective with the necessary theoretical elements. Chapter 12, "Getting into the Civil Service," is a great help in showing students future job and internship possibilities with the government. This career-ready focus is much appreciated. Exploring Public Administration delves into the ins and outs of public administration in a practical manner. The authors do a good job of demystifying the field and offering practical lessons.