
Public Management and Administration
An Introduction
Owen E. Hughes(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
6th Edition
Published on 14. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-1-350-37342-6 (ISBN)
Description
This new edition of a classic text provides a wealth of material on the management and
governance of the public sector, and explores the great shifts taking place in what is a
hotly contested part of society in many regions of the world. Setting out the key
theoretical perspectives on public management, this book will equip you with the key
concepts and tools that you need to make sense of contemporary public management
from different perspectives.
Reflecting the latest issues and trends in public management and administration, this
new edition offers:
Examples from a wide range of countries.
Increased analysis of the impact of authoritarianism and populism.
Coverage of key topics, including strategic management, leadership, performance
management, managing services and technology.
More inclusion of evidence and evidence-based policy.
Additional tables, figures and case study boxes offering the latest research insights.
Suitable for use on courses around the world, and for those with no prior knowledge of
the theory and practice of public management and administration, this fully revised sixth
edition is the ideal point of reference for lecturers and students in the field.
governance of the public sector, and explores the great shifts taking place in what is a
hotly contested part of society in many regions of the world. Setting out the key
theoretical perspectives on public management, this book will equip you with the key
concepts and tools that you need to make sense of contemporary public management
from different perspectives.
Reflecting the latest issues and trends in public management and administration, this
new edition offers:
Examples from a wide range of countries.
Increased analysis of the impact of authoritarianism and populism.
Coverage of key topics, including strategic management, leadership, performance
management, managing services and technology.
More inclusion of evidence and evidence-based policy.
Additional tables, figures and case study boxes offering the latest research insights.
Suitable for use on courses around the world, and for those with no prior knowledge of
the theory and practice of public management and administration, this fully revised sixth
edition is the ideal point of reference for lecturers and students in the field.
Reviews / Votes
Hughes' book has done a very good job providing a contemporary view of public management. The edits made to this edition will serve students at the junior and senior levels well as they work to move forward into jobs or graduate school. * Darrell Lovell, West Texas A&M University, USA * This book is an up-to-date, essential text on issues of public administration and governance which will foster student's analytical and critical thinking. * Tamara Popic, Queen Mary University of London, UK *More details
Edition
6th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 156 mm
Width: 233 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
516 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-37342-6 (9781350373426)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2026
6th Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€41.99
Available for download

E-Book
04/2026
6th Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€41.99
Available for download
Person
Owen E. Hughes is Adjunct Professor at the John Curtin School of Public Policy, Curtin
University, Australia, and formerly Dean of Students at RMIT University, Australia and
Professor of Public Sector Management at Monash University, Australia
University, Australia, and formerly Dean of Students at RMIT University, Australia and
Professor of Public Sector Management at Monash University, Australia
Author
Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, Australia and Deputy Dean, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, Australia
Content
Preface
1. A Time of Change
2. Public Administration and Public Management
3. The Role of Government
4. Public Policy
5. Governance and Accountability
6. Stakeholders and External Constituencies
7. Strategic Management
8. Managing People and Leadership
9. Service Delivery
10. Managing with Technology
11. Financial and Performance Management
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
1. A Time of Change
2. Public Administration and Public Management
3. The Role of Government
4. Public Policy
5. Governance and Accountability
6. Stakeholders and External Constituencies
7. Strategic Management
8. Managing People and Leadership
9. Service Delivery
10. Managing with Technology
11. Financial and Performance Management
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index