The field of public administration is being assailed by the theory of rational voluntary action, ineffectual counterattacks to the theory, ongoing recalibration of politics and administration, and conflation and confusion of types of theories. Among 12 action items to advance the field are conceptual and operational definitions, goal-based…

U.S. cultural preoccupation with modernity has made public administration a field that emphasizes technical rationality, professionalism, and scientific rigor with little capacity to address critical societal questions. Greater attention to history would produce genuinely open inquiry. (SK)

Compares dissertation research from 1992 in public administration, criminology, management, planning, social work, and women's studies. Concludes that what should be done to improve the contribution of doctoral research to the field is to improve the quality of all types of dissertation research. (Author/JOW)

A survey analyzing networking and contact with colleagues received 159 of 307 responses, 73% from criminal justice practitioners and 27% from criminal justice faculty. Apparent differences in communication practices disappear when educational level and research involvement are considered. (SK)

Uses a study of community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to describe how directors of CBDOs perceive their work. Postulates that many administrators misunderstand the mission of CBDOs to not only provide services but to foster broader change. Encourages those in the public sector to understand better and support an alternative to the…

Describes four alternative kinds of knowledge that differ from the mainstream concept of scientific knowledge. Argues that science, engineering, and bureaucratic institutions, under a common model of reality, often ignore and suppress these insightful kinds of knowledge. (Author)

Focuses on the integrated use of economic, sociological, social-psychological, and other advanced conceptual models and heuristics in the study of public institutions and management, with the potential to strengthen the field's scholarship and the possibilities for theory-grounded practice. (Author/JOW)

Concept mapping and sorting in education stresses relationships between concepts, applications of mapping, processes, and grounding in learning theory. In business and public administration the emphasis is on decision making and planning. (SK)

A method for objective preemployment interviewing that saves time and money includes (1) identifying, defining, and quantifying relevant information about applicants; (2) interpreting applicants' verbal, vocal, and visual behaviors; and (3) using interviewing techniques that could elicit more accurate information. (SK)

Considers two dimensions of changes in former Soviet Union countries: (1) obstacles to transformations away from strong state domination; and (2) contrasting approaches in public administration education to facilitate democratic development in these countries. (JOW)

Discusses the history of public administration at Johns Hopkins University from the late 1800s when a curriculum was developed to educate public servants. Suggests that the program made notable contributions to progressivism but was eclipsed by scientific management; however, it has new relevance in the current climate. (Contains 46 references.)…

This study examines the extent to which databases support student and faculty research in the area of public administration. A list of journals in public administration, public policy, political science, public budgeting and finance, and other related areas was compared to the journal content list of six business databases. These databases…

There has been rising concern about the disconnect between universities, their communities and society at large. This is of special interest to professional schools, whose missions are founded on connecting practice and theory. We argue that cooperative inquiry, an action-based methodology, can help foster connectedness and contribute to healing…

Are public and private organizations fundamentally different? This question has been among the most enduring inquiries in public administration. Our study explores the impact of organizational ownership on two complementary aspects of performance: service quality and access to services for impoverished clients. Derived from public management…

This is a unique and groundbreaking collection of questions and answers coming from higher education institutions on diverse fields and across a wide spectrum of countries and cultures. It creates routes for further innovation, collaboration amidst the Sciences (both Natural and Social), the Humanities, and the private and public sectors of…