Abstract
One of the widely held beliefs in public management is that strict commitment to an ideology of public service values, which is a critical factor in the delivery of public services. However, with the introduction of market-oriented reforms-innovations, most of these values face severe and serious challenges. This study, using a comparative and analytical method, examines the principles which underpin the African governments’ program of innovation in public service delivery and in particular the traditional public service ethos. The article reveals that over the years, African public services and those who work in them fall short of the ideal leading to the attempt to innovate by introducing the market values which have equally raised questions about possible threats to the ethos. After identifying some challenges that innovation may pose, the article suggests that traditional public sector ethos should be redefined to allow for innovative ideas in service delivery. Finally, the study concludes that a new “synthesized” ethos that draws on the core elements of bureaucratic principles as well as market based values, would deliver superior public services.
Highlights
In the last twenty-five years, there has been a growing realization both from international realm and within the continent that the African public sector organizations should learn how to innovate if they are to respond adequately to a rapidly changing environment and citizens’ expectations
Dissatisfaction with the single integrated public service structure, which has an adherence to formalised processes and procedures, led to a new institutional structure with new public management concerned with the use of resources to achieve results which evolved in the 20th century
In parallel with the trends and ongoing debate in respect of the distinctiveness or otherwise of the public service and the relevance of a public service ethos, it is clear that we cannot treat the public service like any other business because public service is different
Summary
In the last twenty-five years, there has been a growing realization both from international realm and within the continent that the African public sector organizations should learn how to innovate if they are to respond adequately to a rapidly changing environment and citizens’ expectations. Perhaps we may say value for money is a part of the answer, but only a part When it comes to the design of public service markets as noted by Reddington (2004: 10), it matters to know whether a contract is politically sustainable or not. Public services are different because they must (in most cases) be consumed collectively They are different because they raise complex issues of equity, access and affordability. This article addresses the research gap by examining one prominent aspect of traditional public administration (public service ethos-values) by outlining the ‘shift’ from old public administration to new public management and considers the principal expression of the ‘new’ such as competition and contracting for complexity and their implications on the traditional public service ethos in Africa. The ethos of public service is as intrinsic to public service as the practice itself, helping to create and manage the expectations and aspirations of all stakeholders.”
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