An Introduction to Public Sector Management

The authors contend that the British government and public sector management is amongst the most centralized in the Western world. Since central government has contained inflation by reducing government borrowing, managers have been forced to operate in an atmosphere of crisis and to try to make the best use of availale resources. The steady erosion of social security benefits and services, high unemployment and cuts in public sector housing pose serious problems for maintaining a sense of social solidarity. In view of the many, often radical changes that have occured in the public sector during the past ten years, this book aims to review the situations and impact of change on organizational structures and procedures. This text is addressed primarily to students and practitioners of public sector management seeking an introductory guide. It is hoped that an insight into the character and context of public sector management is provided, which together with examples from specific services, will illuminate the tasks of those employed in fields not directly confronted.