Exploring Public Administration: An Introduction
1st Edition
Published on 14. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
640 pages
978-1-0718-1442-0 (ISBN)
Description
Offers an engaging introduction to all levels of public administration, with expert-authored case studies that add a practitioner perspective
Reviews / Votes
Mosier and Fleming present an insightful analysis of public administration's challenges-policy implementation, bureaucracy, and accountability-while offering innovative solutions. Essential for students and professionals alike, this work is a beacon for navigating modern governance. -- Simon H. Okoth * Review * A great new text that covers the breadth of the field of public administration in a way that is accessible and understandable to students. -- Chad Kinsella * Review * Exploring Public Administration gives students a bird's-eye overview of the sector, while also performing dazzling deep dives into innovative historic and cultural examples. This text would benefit professors of introductory-level public administration or politics and policy courses. -- Nicole Hefty * Review * A masterful examination of contemporary public administration. Essential reading for both scholars and practitioners as it offers scholarly information and practical insights into the complexities of public service. -- Patricia Moore * Review * Samantha Mosier and Casey Fleming have an ability to talk to introductory students in public administration. This ease of reading makes grasping concepts much easier for students. -- Matthew Thomas * Review * A fresh, captivating look at the driving forces behind public administration. -- Frederick D. Gordon * Review * This text is a comprehensive approach to public administration and provides students with insight into the history of the field as well as major pertinent issues that impact public service and bureaucracy. -- Beth Rauhaus * Review * This text blends a practitioner's perspective with the necessary theoretical elements. Chapter 12, "Getting into the Civil Service," is a great help in showing students future job and internship possibilities with the government. This career-ready focus is much appreciated. -- Branson Herrera * Review * Exploring Public Administration delves into the ins and outs of public administration in a practical manner. The authors do a good job of demystifying the field and offering practical lessons. -- Sombo Muzata * Review * A nice balance between an academic approach to the study of public administration and a deeper applied approach to management in the public sector that students demand. -- Joseph CammaranoMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington
United States
Publishing group
SAGE Publications Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 187 mm
Weight
880 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0718-1442-0 (9781071814420)
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
Persons
Samantha L. Mosier, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Associate Director of the Water Resources Center at East Carolina University. She teaches courses on research design, public policy, and environmental policy and serves as a core faculty member in the Master of Public Administration program. Her research interests focus on resilience and sustainability at the subnational level with additional work in the areas of partisan dietary behavior and food labeling.
Casey J. Fleming, Ph.D., is an associate professor of public administration in the Department of Political Science and Director of the Master of Public Administration program at East Carolina University. He teaches courses on public and nonprofit management, performance, and human resources. His research interests primarily focus on bureaucracy, workplace rules, and prosocial behavior.
Casey J. Fleming, Ph.D., is an associate professor of public administration in the Department of Political Science and Director of the Master of Public Administration program at East Carolina University. He teaches courses on public and nonprofit management, performance, and human resources. His research interests primarily focus on bureaucracy, workplace rules, and prosocial behavior.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Introduction
What Is Public Administration?
Our Dual Approach to the Study of Public Administration
Public Is Not Like Private Administration
The Four E's: Values of Public Administration
Public Administration - The Discipline in Review
Conclusion
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Resources
Chapter 2: The Bureaucracy and Its Government Role
Bureaucracy as the 4th Branch
The Structure of the 4th Branch
Public Policy and the Policy Process
The Policy Activities of the Bureaucracy
The Implementation & Oversight Activities of the Bureaucracy
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Resources
Chapter 3: Decision-Making
Theoretical Approaches to Decision-Making
Applied Decision-Making
The Importance of Information
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 4: Budgeting
Budgeting Basics
Approaches and Types of Budgeting
The Public Budget Process
It's All About the Benjamins: Revenue and Spending in Government
Conclusion
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 5: Organizational Theory and Design
What Are Organizations? What Is Organizational Theory?
Organizations as Closed Systems: Early Approaches to Organizations
Organizations as Open Systems: A Mid-20th Century Shift in Perspective
Economic Theories of Organizations
Conclusion
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 6: The Civil Service and Labor Relations
A History of the Civil Service
Merit and Civil Service Principles
The Legal Framework of the Government Workplace
Labor Relations in the Public Service
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 7: Strategic Human Resource Management
The Changing Landscape of Public Human Resource Management
Position Management: Defining Needs and Jobs
Recruitment: Attracting the Next Generation of Public Servants
Selection: Who to Hire? Who to Promote?
Compensation and Benefits: Rewarding Employees
Training and Development
Appraising Employee Performance
Conclusion
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 8: Leadership and Management
Leadership in Public Organizations
Theories And Approaches to Studying Leadership
Other Factors of Leadership
Followership
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 9: Accountability and Ethics
Defining Ethics
Managing Ethics in Public Administration
Accountability Revisited
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 10: Implementation
Studying Implementation
Organizations' Performance-Based Challenges
Intergovernmental and Collaboration Challenges
Implementation in the Age of the Internet
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 11: Evaluation and Assessment
The Importance of Reflection
Performance Management
Policy Analysis
Program Evaluation
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 12: Getting Into the Civil Service
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Civil Service
Getting Started
Advancing Your Career
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Appendix 1: Check Your Progress Answer Key
Glossary
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Introduction
What Is Public Administration?
Our Dual Approach to the Study of Public Administration
Public Is Not Like Private Administration
The Four E's: Values of Public Administration
Public Administration - The Discipline in Review
Conclusion
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Resources
Chapter 2: The Bureaucracy and Its Government Role
Bureaucracy as the 4th Branch
The Structure of the 4th Branch
Public Policy and the Policy Process
The Policy Activities of the Bureaucracy
The Implementation & Oversight Activities of the Bureaucracy
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Resources
Chapter 3: Decision-Making
Theoretical Approaches to Decision-Making
Applied Decision-Making
The Importance of Information
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 4: Budgeting
Budgeting Basics
Approaches and Types of Budgeting
The Public Budget Process
It's All About the Benjamins: Revenue and Spending in Government
Conclusion
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 5: Organizational Theory and Design
What Are Organizations? What Is Organizational Theory?
Organizations as Closed Systems: Early Approaches to Organizations
Organizations as Open Systems: A Mid-20th Century Shift in Perspective
Economic Theories of Organizations
Conclusion
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 6: The Civil Service and Labor Relations
A History of the Civil Service
Merit and Civil Service Principles
The Legal Framework of the Government Workplace
Labor Relations in the Public Service
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 7: Strategic Human Resource Management
The Changing Landscape of Public Human Resource Management
Position Management: Defining Needs and Jobs
Recruitment: Attracting the Next Generation of Public Servants
Selection: Who to Hire? Who to Promote?
Compensation and Benefits: Rewarding Employees
Training and Development
Appraising Employee Performance
Conclusion
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 8: Leadership and Management
Leadership in Public Organizations
Theories And Approaches to Studying Leadership
Other Factors of Leadership
Followership
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 9: Accountability and Ethics
Defining Ethics
Managing Ethics in Public Administration
Accountability Revisited
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 10: Implementation
Studying Implementation
Organizations' Performance-Based Challenges
Intergovernmental and Collaboration Challenges
Implementation in the Age of the Internet
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 11: Evaluation and Assessment
The Importance of Reflection
Performance Management
Policy Analysis
Program Evaluation
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Chapter 12: Getting Into the Civil Service
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Civil Service
Getting Started
Advancing Your Career
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Discussion Questions
Further Recommended Readings
Appendix 1: Check Your Progress Answer Key
Glossary