Professional Public Administration Research Articles

Cultural Integrations for Organisational Performance: Synthesising Western Liberal, Sinocentric and Ubuntu Perspectives in South African Career Management Services

South African public organisations intrinsically integrate diverse cultural perspectives by embracing and promoting developmental state ideals, democratic principles of equality and fairness, and communitarianism in their governance frameworks. This embrace reveals the interplay of Western Liberal principles, Sino-centric values, and Ubuntu cultural perspectives in influencing organisational performance. This paper thus explored these dynamics by examining how conflicting and integrating perspectives affect and enhance career management practices for organisational performance. Key cultural themes, including individual autonomy, hierarchy, collaboration, societal order, and communitarianism, were reviewed at the North West Province Departments of Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs, and Human Settlements through mixed methods research. Findings revealed cultural conflicts culminating in unfairness in career management practices and a lack of collaborative efforts by role players involved. These findings underscored the necessity of weakening and integrating strong ontologies through panentheism to enhance economic and employee development, societal order, hierarchy, and communal well-being through structured governance, pluralist choice, collective fingers and societal order frameworks. This research offers practical implications for improving organisational performance in African multicultural contexts, which are valuable for career management and public administration professionals. Keywords: Ubuntu, Sino-centric Values, Liberalism, Organisational Performance, Integrative Governance.

The Interpretation of Public Administration Controlling From an Economic Perspective

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess the adherence of state/municipal economic companies to the requirements outlined in Government Decree 339/2019 (XII. 23.) concerning the use of budgetary funds. Furthermore, the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of internal and external control systems and propose measures to enhance the efficiency and transparency of these companies' financial management. Theoretical Framework: The research builds on the principles of public sector governance, focusing on the role of internal control systems and external monitoring in ensuring the proper use of public funds. Government Decree 339/2019 serves as the regulatory basis for evaluating performance, while theories on financial control, transparency, and accountability in public administration are employed to interpret the findings. Method: A qualitative approach was employed, including an audit of selected state/municipal companies. The study utilized data from the ÁSZ (State Audit Office) reports, internal control mechanisms, and management reviews. Performance evaluations were conducted in light of the companies' compliance with regulatory requirements, with a focus on identifying systemic shortcomings and proposing improvements. Results and Discussion: The audit revealed that while the companies generally complied with Government Decree 339/2019, several shortcomings were noted, particularly in the areas of internal control and economic management. External monitoring by the ÁSZ and existing internal control systems contribute to ensuring the proper use of budgetary funds. However, there is a need to strengthen these systems further to address the observed issues. The study suggests the implementation of a management-oriented controlling system, which would emphasize economic decision-making and improve overall performance and transparency. Research Implications: The findings have significant implications for state and municipal economic companies. By adopting a more economically focused internal control system, these entities can enhance their financial management practices, optimize the use of public funds, and foster greater transparency and efficiency in their operations. This approach would not only benefit public administration but also improve service delivery to the general public. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the importance of a management-oriented controlling system based on economic principles in the public sector. It provides practical recommendations for enhancing the internal control and audit processes of state/municipal companies, offering valuable insights for policymakers and public administration professionals striving for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Career Paths and Professionalism: Examining ICMA Credentials among City Managers

The emphasis on professionalism in public administration has highlighted the importance of city managers and their role in managing cities effectively. While there are various avenues for city managers to improve their professionalism, such as a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, there has been limited research on other organizations that facilitate professionalism. This paper focuses on the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) credentialing program. ICMA is a nationally recognized organization that helps dictate professional norms among city managers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the motivations of city managers who pursue additional credentials and to identify the types of city managers who are more likely to attain professional certification. I argue that the ambition of city managers, as measured through their career path, is related to their pursuit of professionalism. Specifically, city managers with a diagonal career path are more likely to attain additional professional certification compared to those with a ladder career path because it signals their promising ability to future employers, namely city councils. To test this hypothesis, this paper uses two datasets. The first dataset examines the career paths of city managers in California, Florida, and North Carolina from 2012 to 2023. The second dataset focuses on newly hired chief administrators from 2021 to 2023 across the United States, drawing data from the ICMA job advertising information. From these two datasets, I find that city managers with diagonal career paths are more likely to possess ICMA credentials than those with ladder career paths.

Post‐pandemic public personnel retention: A person‐organization and person‐supervisor fit analysis

AbstractThis study examines person/organization and person/supervisor fit of public administration professionals in the context of hybrid work. A three‐phase study was conducted among 411 public professionals in Quebec. Results show that person/organization and person/supervisor fit have declined over time, and that satisfaction with hybrid work played a role in this decline. Person/organization fit affects intention to stay with the public organization. These results show the importance for public organizations to take employees' needs, values and expectations into account to increase satisfaction with the hybrid work experience and foster the retention of public service employees in a post‐pandemic era.

Підходи до формування міжкультурної компетентності фахівців публічного управління

Statement of the problem. At the present stage of development of a globalised society, the importance of intercultural competence, which should be possessed by specialists in those fields that are directly related to the communication process with partners in the international arena, is increasing. The public sphere is no exception, as it is the place where a layer of specialists is formed to perform important tasks assigned to them by the state. Therefore, the relevance of possessing an adequate level of intercultural competence of public administration professionals is growing, especially in recent years, when Ukraine has declared the European integration vector of its development. Analysis of recent research and publications. The formation of intercultural competence of public administration professionals is studied by such scholars as Y. Vyshnevska, L. Gren, O. Hrybko, H. Kyrychenko, N. Kovalska, V. Marchenko, S. Medvedenko, O. Sytko and many others. They study the peculiarities of forming the communicative competence of public administration specialists, consider ways of forming the communicative component of the leadership potential of government officials, raise the issue of the nature of information and communication mechanisms for shaping the image of public authorities, and analyse communicative tolerance in public administration. Identification of previously unresolved parts of the overall problem. The issue of raising the level of intercultural competence of public administration professionals remains an urgent problem that needs to be addressed in the context of Ukraine's European integration. Summary of the basic research material. The intercultural competence of public administration professionals is seen as a set of skills that form a sufficient and effective dialogue between partners and relevant groups of professionals representing different economic, political, religious, ethnic or national groups. The article highlights the main structural components of intercultural competence of future public administration professionals. Angovernment official must be able to interact with partners who may be representatives of different cultures and ethnicities. Close to this is the ability to conduct a mutually beneficial dialogue and the readiness of specialists to make the most effective decision for the communicators. A high level of dialogue is considered to be the ability of its participants to hear and perceive the position of their opponents. Specialists should have the ability to conduct business negotiations at the highest level, as well as a wide range of techniques and methods of comparison and generalisation. Finally, a public sector professional must be an effective conflict resolution specialist and be able to manage conflict situations. Conclusions. Thanks to developed intercultural communication, dialogue in a modern multicultural society becomes possible, and intercultural competence serves as an effective tool for it. It is able to form an environment that provides for a basic and higher level based on such factors as motivation, skills and knowledge, moral autonomy, creativity and criticism.

Decision-making: The Process Contributing to Professional Public Administration

This article analysis one of the main issues of public administration theory and practice, which is helpful in government functioning and policy-making. Research study includes the discourse on how to plan and make decisions on behalf of democratic attitude. Public administration is utmost outcome, and the success or failure of the government depends on it. Theoretical debate on decision-making process, accordingly, surveys the fundamental perception on rational and incremental decision-making processes. It refers basically to the administrative institutions. Decision making is important for organizational effectiveness because of its central role in the overall process of directing and controlling. Decisions do not automatically guarantee all programmed outcomes, but denoting actions with professionalism and public support. As a valuable process it is likely to be a central element of management and leadership. Comparative study of examples of developed democratic systems shows the high responsibility of public institutes and government as key actors. Particular attention is paid there to the professionalism of government, which is a vital characteristic of any democratic public administration and virtually a policy quality. Findings of current research shows that decisions are not based solely on laws and regulations. Moreover, as the study shows, many other appropriate skills of decision-makers are important that will be seen with the close linkages with strategic governance.

Curricular Relevance and Workforce Preparedness: Student Perspectives on Practical Experiences in Urban Planning and Construction Courses

Abstract This study conducted at Ovidius University of Constanta, Romania, examines the integration of practical experiences into urban planning and construction curricula, involving 318 students from Construction, Law, and Administrative Sciences faculties. The study stresses the significance of these experiences in preparing students for the workforce, while assessing their perspectives on the relevance of their courses to future careers, with a particular emphasis on the influence of internships and real project involvement. The findings suggest that students who engage in practical activities view their courses as more relevant to their career advancement. This pattern is consistent across an array of courses, with various statistical analyses revealing degrees of significance. The study underscores the need of aligning educational programmes with labour market standards and professional requirements, particularly within fields that emphasise practical competencies. It also highlights the essential roles of construction engineers and public administration professionals, emphasizing the importance of understanding practical and legal aspects in their education.

Challenges and Opportunities Facing Public Administration in the 21st Century

In the 21st century, the field of public administration has been challenged by various political and social changes that have transformed the way governments operate around the world. The aim of this study was to examine the challenges and opportunities facing public administration in the 21st century, with a particular focus on the qualitative experiences of practitioners in the field. The research utilized a qualitative method, involving interviews with public administration professionals to gather their insights on the challenges and opportunities facing their field. Secondary data was also collected from relevant literature on the topic. The findings indicated that public administration is facing challenges such as changing public expectations, fiscal constraints, technological disruption, and political changes. On the other hand, there are also opportunities such as increased collaboration, innovation, and citizen engagement.

Human Resources Professionalism in Public Administration: Efforts to Achieve Good Governance and Organizational Performance Improvement in the Era of Bureaucratic Reform

This study highlights the significance of professionalism in human resources within public administration to achieve good governance and improve employee and organizational performance. The research methodology used was library research, involving text and discourse analysis to gather data from relevant literature on the topic. The study’s findings indicate that the implementation of good governance in government bureaucracy is crucial for enhancing both employee and organizational performance. To achieve this, professionalism in human resources within public administration is essential, and the North Kalimantan government has adopted an alternative technocratic concept to support it. This concept emphasizes professional orientations and expertise. To develop the capacity of public servants, the North Kalimantan government has initiated a capacity-building program in collaboration with various universities in Indonesia. The program targets three domains and levels: individual, organizational, and strategic policy systems. Leadership plays a critical role in the success of the capacity-building program.
 Keywords: bureaucratic, good governance, professionalism, reform, organizational performance

KONSOLIDOWAĆ, NIE KONSOLIDOWAĆ… GŁOS DO DYSKUSJI O POŁĄCZENIU KORPUSU SŁUŻBY CYWILNEJ I PRACOWNIKÓW SAMORZĄDOWYCH

The paper explores selected issues related to the possibility of establishing a selfgovernment civil service in Poland. The analysis was carried out from the perspective of recognizing selfgovernment administration (public administration at the level of local government) as public administration conceived in terms of formal and doctrinal assignment of public administration being part of executive power in the classical triad of power division. Empirical data were demonstrated illustrating the characteristics of appointments as the basis of the employment relationship in the civil service corps, and periodically of the local government employees, as a factor stabilizing staff fluctuation in public administration. The main objective was to find an answer, on the basis of the collected data, to the research question whether local government administration should become a permanent element of professional public administration as an element of the civil service corps.

Gap Between the ‘Ought’ and the ‘is’ of the Third Sector: A Qualitative Case Study of Andalusia (Spain)

ABSTRACT The origin of the Third Sector (TS) in Spain is rooted in the defence of social rights and demands made of the State regarding social transformation. With the development of the Welfare State, the role of the TS has progressively changed, becoming primarily a provider of services to Public Administrations (PAs), and moving away from its roots advocating and demanding social justice. This article examines the distance between the original intentions (‘ought’) and the current day-to-day actions (‘is’) of the TS in the case of the region of Andalusia (Spain), focusing on a three-dimensional analysis: the objectives that mark its action, its funding model, and relations within the organisation. Using a qualitative methodology based on Thematic Content Analysis, the discourses of actors involved in the TS (managers, professionals, volunteers, users, public administration professionals, and other actors) have been analysed and linked, concluding that the gap generated between intention and deed, or ‘ought’ and ‘is’, are the result of external contextual elements, but also of decisions made within the TS.

Вплив новітніх концепцій державного управління в країнах ЄС на розвиток системи соціальної роботи

Розглянуто досвід та інноваційні методи управління і стандартні процедури вдержавному управлінні країн Європейського Союзу та їх вплив на ефективність надання соціальних послуг. Зроблено аналіз розповсюдження неоліберальних політичних переконань та принципів нового державного управління (далі – NPM) у європейських країнах із початку 80-х рр. ХХ ст. і до сьогодні, що суттєво вплинуло на існуючу систему соціальної роботи. Виокремлено дієві інструменти: інформатизація, дебюрократизація, децентралізація, деінституціалізація, деконцентрація (аутсорсинг), приватизація та запровадження економічних механізмів регулювання управлінських процесів і сервісне адміністрування, які можна впровадити у реформування державного управління системою соціальної роботи в українському суспільстві.

New development: Public sector accounting education for users—embedding eLearning and technology in teaching

IMPACT Information and communication technology (ICT) in learning can be an enabler to increase awareness and understandability of public sector financial statements for users. This article presents software that makes accounting information more easily understood by non-experts, such as public administration professionals. It is intended for information users and not information preparers; uses explanations of accounting terms; and permits analyses and comparisons. It can be used in both on site and distance learning programmes as it allows students to navigate and explore the material at their own pace.

Game learning - Action methods and new technologies

The possibilities that the new technologies, particularly the roleplaying video games, contribute to the development of the action techniques and the psychodrama are raised. As an example of these methodologies, the experience of the authors in the use of a video role-playing game, the Pace of the Waves, in the area of communication and leadership is presented to the training of public administration professionals. The advantages and limitations of this tool are discussed, as well as its applications to professional and personal development. Finally, we reflect on the encounter between the traditional and the new in action techniques and psychodrama.

Democracy and bureaucracy in newly industrialized countries: A systematic comparison between Latin America and East Asia

AbstractThis article analyzes the political‐institutional determinants of bureaucracy quality among a group of newly industrialized countries in Latin America and East Asia democratized in the Third Wave. Four causal conditions are examined for the occurrence of higher levels of bureaucratic “weberianess” in the selected cases: historical sequence, political parties' institutionalization, electoral competition, and ethnic politics. The study employs the fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis to explore the expectation that each of these conditions' implications depends on other conditions' presence or absence. The findings disconfirm claims about the critical role of party system institutionalization for Weberian bureaucracies in new democracies. Besides, the analysis did not declare a professional public administration's prior existence before democratization as a necessary or sufficient condition for the outcome of interest. Finally, although the electoral competition was declared necessary for the outcome occurrence, it does not imply the same result if combined with ethnic politics.

Професійно-відповідальні та історико-правові настанови підготовки публічних службовців на успішність державотворення в Україні

The article highlights the topical issue of training specialists for public administration in the institutions of modern Ukrainian society for democratic transformation. The main components of the mechanisms of professionalism of future managers in order to implement them in society were underlined; the importance of forming in the future public managers the features of innovative leadership was emphasized, because innovations and diversity have become a priority for the development of public service and therefore on the agenda. Particular attention in the article is paid to the readiness of future professionals for the public management of open competitions to diagnose their individual psychological and professional qualities to be in demand, in accordance with the requirements of the time.Problem statement in general and its connection with important scientific or practical tasks. Today we are witnesses and direct participants in the formation and development of a fundamentally new era in the history of human civilization and the requirements of state-building processes in relation to democratic transformations in Ukraine. The processes of change in the practical and transformative activities of people are happening at such a speed, on such a scale and in such complex, contradictory, and sometimes threatening conditions that without proper professional and worldview awareness of the main trends of socio-political development it is impossible to ensure proper professional contribution. public administration in the case in which he is engaged.The purpose of the article is to comprehend the guidelines that will promote the professionalism, responsibility of future professionals in the system of public administration in modern institutions of power, such as the effectiveness of state-building processes in Ukraine.Conclusions. An effective state is a service state that provides quality services to its citizens, and specialists of political-administrative and economic structures are professional managers-managers who experience urgent social problems, form a program of political-administrative, socio-economic and cultural programs, effective mechanisms to address key societal issues. They are designed to put professionally responsible, professionally effective plans in the government agenda, starting from territorial communities and higher government institutions, concentrating different types of resources, working out mechanisms for implementing action plans, understanding the consequences of implementing programs for reform effectiveness. Today, effectively trained public administration professionals need to change the system of internal motivation of citizens, which is focused on success. Success can become a reality when we prepare on the basis of professional-spiritual and historical-patriotic, morally responsible guidelines of public servants of high professional efficiency, because we need managerial quality and efficiency to build a strong state - Ukraine.

Application of Blended Teaching in Public Administration Courses under the Background of Artificial Intelligence

The deep integration of artificial intelligence and education has become an inevitable trend in the development of higher education in the near future. Taking public administration courses for example, this paper constructed a blended teaching mode in the teaching and learning process, which was proved to be more suitable and helpful for teachers to play a guiding role in public administration professionals. By using big data in the teaching platform, teachers could generate appropriate teaching plans to improve students’ learning efficiency and subjective initiatives according to the knowledge and learning habits of each student. Meanwhile, the assessment system in the platform could also improve teaching quality by helping teachers acquire the learning outcome of their students. The blended teaching mode could largely promote the reform of the traditional teaching mode of the course in colleges and universities in China.

Development of priority measures (solutions) for the environmentally safe management of municipal waste at the community level

Environmentally safe waste management remains one of the priority areas of civil society. Despite the introduction of a number of regulations, such as Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19.11.2008, the issue of effective management in the field of waste management not resolved. Therefore, the process of solid waste management at the level of territorial communities is considered as the object of research. Among the main shortcomings of this process is the lack of effective mechanisms and algorithms for systems to support informed decisions on waste management in their specific area.The article proposes and discloses a scientific and methodological approach to integrated expert and analytical evaluation of the processes of household waste management and substantiates the feasibility of environmental safety management measures. In the course of the research the decomposition of the household waste management process was carried out. This allows to identify the sources and characteristics of hazard detection, among which the largest contribution is made by waste incineration plants without energy (47.41 %) and the conditions of waste accumulation with increasing hazard (54.95 %). Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) allows to take into account individual and collective judgments of experts, which not only improves the quality of research but also allows to determine the priority of environmental safety management measures. According to the calculations, the most important (44.01 % of the total contribution) is the measure to introduce the best available technologies for solid waste management. Obtaining such results is possible due to the fact that the method of analysis of hierarchies allows to determine the step-by-step transitivity and consistency of expert assessments.Compared to similar methods the proposed method, as simple and straightforward, is quite easy to use. This increases the effectiveness of transparent decision-making at the grassroots level through the involvement of highly qualified environmental and public administration professionals.

Una década trabajando por la mejora de la convivencia: El Proyecto de Intervención Comunitaria Intercultural

El Proyecto de Intervención Comunitaria Intercultural (Proyecto ICI) es una propuesta para generar procesos comunitarios interculturales que, partiendo de lo existente, promuevan la convivencia y cohesión social en territorios de alta diversidad, favoreciendo la integración y la capacitación comunitaria mediante la creación de estructuras mancomunadas y participativas en las que representantes políticos, profesionales de las administraciones públicas, entidades sociales y ciudadanía puedan afrontar conjuntamente sus desafíos. Aporta un modelo de intervención sumamente innovador al integrar, en un mismo enfoque y metodología, la filosofía y praxis de la intervención comunitaria con los de la interculturalidad y la mediación, adaptándose en su aplicación a las diversas realidades territoriales. Los resultados alcanzados muestran la idoneidad del modelo para generar una respuesta articulada y participativa, corroborando la hipótesis de que comunidades más organizadas y cohesionadas están en mejores condiciones para afrontar las adversidades y mejorar su calidad de vida.

Формування спеціалізованих компетентностей фахівців публічного управління через призму принципу доброчесності

Current challenges facing managers require quality management training for higher education institutions in the specialty 281 «Public Administration and Administration». The purpose of the article was to analyze the results of general theoretical and sectoral studies of the current state of formation of specialized competencies of future specialists of public administration to identify existing problems in this field and to offer directions of their solution. Today, higher education institutions have a legal framework and higher education standards define specialized competencies for public administration professionals. It is determined that civil servants are guided by the principles of public service ethics, including integrity. Analyzing the requirements of current legislation and educational programs for the specialized competencies of current and future public administration professionals, it can be clearly concluded that their formation should take place through the lens of the principle of integrity. However, the practical side of the formation of specialized competences through the prism of virtue in the applicants is to some extent complicated by Ukrainian realities. Namely, the lack of an effective motivational and organizational mechanism of public administration to improve service in public administration. Its absence causes not only problems in the environment of working civil servants of different levels, but also influences the training of future specialists of the specified field.