1. Introduction rationale for the book, theoretical framework, unfolding of the sections and themes.- Part 1: The study of PA in Italy as interdisciplinary science: key disciplines and selected functional themes.- 2. Law, administrative law and the debate on Kelsen's pure theory of law 'vs.' juridical realism in Italy.- 3. Budgeting and accounting and their reform in Italy.- 4. Controlling Public Expenditure: the practice of spending reviews, the role of the General Accounts Office (RGS), the Office for Forecast for the State Budget and the Court of Auditors.- 5. Performance management, accountability and transparency in Italy.- 6. Management theory and the Italian school of public management.- 7. Public policy and PA reform as a policy: policy cycles, antecedents and consequences in Italy.- 8. Better regulation in Italy.- 9. Social psychology and applications to PA problems in Italy.- 10. Digitisation of Italian PA.- 11. Big Data and AI: applications and impact on PA in Italy.- 12. The procurement function in Italy.- 13. Crisis governance and management in Italy.- Part 2: The professions of PA in Italy: Perspectives.- 14. Features of public employment and the education and training of public servants in Italy.- 15. Italian Public Employment between laws and labour contracts.- 16. Trade unions and PA.- 17. Professionals in public services and profiling the public manager in Italy.- 18. Trends in personnel management in Italy.- 19. Competency management and organisational design in Italian PA.- 20. Public Leadership and territorial leadership in Italian governments.- 21. The Judiciary and administrative action.- 22. Conclusion: taking stock of the case of Italy for advancing the science and the profession of PA in Italy.
