<–2/”>a >The English word administer‘ is derived from a combination of two Latin words and ?ministrate‘ meaning ?to serve or manage‘. Literally, the term means management the affairs of public or private. Administration refers to mobilisation of Resources – human and material- to achieve pre-set of objectives.
Administration is thus an activity undertaken in pursuit of the realisation of a goal. It is an effort requiring a group of persons, each individually carrying out certainallotted tasks, which when so performed by all, leads to the achievement of an objective which has already been established and made explicit.
Management is defined as an act of managing people and their work, for achieving a common goal by using the organization‘s resources. It creates an Environment under which the manager and his subordinates can work together for the attainment of group objective. It is a group of people who use their skills and talent in running the complete system of the organization. It is an activity, a function, a process, a discipline and much more.Planning, organizing, leading, motivating, controlling, coordination and DECISION MAKING are the major activities performed by the management. Management brings together 5M‘s of the organization, i.e. Men,Material, Machines, Methods, and Money. It is a result oriented activity, which focuses on achieving the desired output.
The nature of management can easily be brought out by the following Elements:
(i) Management is goal-oriented: Management is not an end in itself. It is a means to achieve certain goals. Management has no justification to exist without goals. Management goals are called group goals or organisational goals. The basic goal of management is to ensure efficiency and economy in the utilisation of human, physical and financial resources. The success of management is measured by the extent to which the established goals one achieved. Thus, management is purposeful.
(ii) Management is universal: Management is an essential element of every organised activity irrespective of the size or type of activity. Wherever two or more persons are engaged in working for a common goal, management is necessary. All types of organisations, e.g., family, club, university, government, army, cricket team or business, require management. Thus, management is a pervasive activity. The fundamental principles of management are applicable in all areas of organised effort.
Managers at all levels perform the same basic functions.
(iii) Management is an Integrative Force: The essence of management lies in the coordination of individual efforts in to a team. Management reconciles the individual goals with organisational goals. As unifying force, management creates a whole that is more than the sum of individual parts. It integrates human and other resources.
(iv) Management is a Social Process: Management is done by people, through people and for people. It is a social process because it is concerned with interpersonal relations. Human factor is the most important element in management. According to
Appley, ?Man- agement is the development of people not the direction of things. A good manager is a leader not a boss. It is the pervasiveness of human element which gives management its special character as a social process?.
(v) Management is multidisciplinary: Management has to deal with human behaviour under dynamic conditions. Therefore, it depends upon wide knowledge derived from several disciplines like engineering, Sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, etc. The vast body of knowledge in management draws heavily upon other fields of study.
(vi) Management is a continuous Process: Management is a dynamic and an on-going process. The cycle of management continues to operate so long as there is organised action for the achievement of group goals.
(vii) Management is Intangible: Management is an unseen or invisible force. It cannot be seen but its presence can be felt everywhere in the form of results. However, the managers who perform the FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT are very much tangible and visible.
(viii) Management is an Art as well as Science: It contains a systematic body of theoretical knowledge and it also involves the practical application of such knowledge. Management is also a discipline involving specialised training and an ethical code arising out of its social obligations.
The significance of management can be brought out by following points:-
(i) Achievement of group goals: A human group consists of several persons, each specialising in doing a part of the total task. Each person may be working efficiently, but the group as a whole cannot realise its objectives unless there is mutual cooperation and coordination among the members of the group. Manage- ment creates team-work and coordination in the group. He reconciles the objectives of the group with those of its members so that each one of them is motivated to make his best contribution towards the accomplishment of group goals. Managers provide inspiring Leadership to keep the members of the group working hard.
(ii) Optimum utilisation of resources: Managers forecast the need for materials, machinery, money and manpower. They ensure that the organisation has adequate resources and at the sametime does not have idle resources. They create and maintain an environment conducive to highest productivity. Managers make sure that workers know their jobs well and use the most effi- cient methods of work. They provide training and guidance to employeers so that they can make the best use of the available resources.
(iii) Minimisation of cost: In the modern era of cut-throat competition no business can succeed unless it is able to supply the required goods and Services at the lowest possible cost per unit. Manage- ment directs day-to-day operations in such a manner that all wastage and extravagance are avoided. By reducing costs and improving efficiency, managers enable an enterprise to be com- petent to face competitors and earn profits.
(iv) Survival and Growth: Modern business operates in a rapidly changing environment. An enterprise has to adapt itself to the changing demands of the market and Society. Management keeps in touch with the existing business environment and draws its predictions about the trends in future. It takes steps in advance to meet the challenges of changing environment. Changes in busi- ness environment create risks as well as opportunities. Manag- ers enable the enterprise to minimise the risks and maximise the benefits of opportunities. In this way, managers facilitate the continuity and prosperity of business.
(v) Generation of EMPLOYMENT: By setting up and expanding busi- ness enterprises, managers create jobs for the people. People earn their livelihood by working in these organisations. Managers also create such an environment that people working in enterprise can get job satisfaction and happiness. In this way managers help to satisfy the economic and social needs of the employees.
(vi) Development of the nation: Efficient management is equally important at the national level. Management is the most crucial factor in economic and social development. The development of a country largely depends on the quality of the management of its resources. Capital Investment and import of technical know how cannot lead to economic growth unless wealth producing resources are managed efficiently. By producing wealth, management increases the NATIONAL INCOME and the living standards of people. That is why management is regarded as a key to the economic growth of a country.,
Public Administration is the implementation of government policy and also an academic discipline that studies this implementation and prepares civil servants for this work. As a “field of inquiry with a diverse scope”, public administration is more than just the study of government organisations.
Public administration is “the art and science of managing people, money, and information in order to accomplish public goals”.
Public administration is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of activities and functions. It includes the management of government agencies, the delivery of public services, and the regulation of economic activity. Public administration also plays a role in the development and implementation of public policy.
The role of government is to provide for the common good. This includes providing essential services such as Education, healthcare, and Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE. Government also plays a role in regulating economic activity and protecting the environment.
Public organizations are complex and have multiple goals and objectives. They must also operate within a complex legal and political environment. This complexity makes public administration a challenging and demanding field.
The management of public organizations is a complex task. Public managers must be able to plan, organize, direct, and control the work of government employees. They must also be able to work effectively with elected officials, interest groups, and the public.
The policy process is the process by which public policy is developed and implemented. It includes the identification of a problem, the development of alternative solutions, the selection of a solution, and the implementation of the solution.
Public-private partnerships are arrangements in which government and private sector organizations work together to deliver public services. Public-private partnerships can be used to deliver a wide range of services, including transportation, education, and healthcare.
E-government is the use of information technology to deliver government services to the public. E-government can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government services. It can also make it easier for citizens to access government services.
International public administration is the study of public administration in a global context. It includes the study of international organizations, comparative public administration, and Development Administration.
Public administration is a complex and multifaceted field. It is essential for the effective delivery of public services and the implementation of public policy. Public administration is also a growing field, with increasing demand for qualified public servants.
The following are some of the challenges facing public administration:
- Budget cuts: Governments are facing increasing budget cuts, which are putting pressure on public services.
- Technology: New technologies are changing the way government operates, and public administrators need to be able to adapt to these changes.
- Complexity: Public organizations are complex, and public administrators need to be able to manage this complexity.
- Accountability: Public administrators are accountable to the public, and they need to be able to demonstrate that they are using public resources effectively.
Despite these challenges, public administration is a rewarding field. Public administrators have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of citizens. They also have the opportunity to work on a variety of interesting and challenging projects.
Public administration is the implementation of government policy and also an academic discipline that studies this implementation and prepares civil servants for this work. As a “field of inquiry with a diverse scope”, public administration is “concerned with governance” and its “study is relevant to understanding the policy process”. Some of the various definitions which have been offered for the term are:
- “the art and science of management applied to the tasks of government”
- “the study of government decision making, the analysis of the policies themselves, the various inputs that have produced them, and the outputs of these decisions”
- “the study of the structure and operation of governmental agencies and the processes they use in carrying out their responsibilities”
Public administration is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of activities and functions. Some of the key areas of public administration include:
- Policymaking: Public administrators play a key role in developing and implementing public policy. They work with elected officials to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement those solutions.
- Management: Public administrators are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of government agencies. This includes tasks such as BUDGETING, personnel management, and program evaluation.
- Service delivery: Public administrators are responsible for delivering a wide range of services to the public. This includes services such as education, healthcare, and transportation.
- Regulation: Public administrators are responsible for regulating businesses and other organizations. This includes tasks such as ensuring that businesses comply with environmental regulations and that financial institutions are safe and Sound.
Public administration is a complex and challenging field, but it is also a rewarding one. Public administrators have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of their fellow citizens.
Here are some frequently asked questions about public administration:
- What is public administration? Public administration is the implementation of government policy and also an academic discipline that studies this implementation and prepares civil servants for this work.
- What are the different types of public administration? There are many different types of public administration, but some of the most common include:
- National government administration: This is the administration of the national government, which includes the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch.
- State Government administration: This is the administration of state governments, which include the governor, the State Legislature, and the state courts.
- Local Government administration: This is the administration of local governments, which include cities, counties, and towns.
- Intergovernmental administration: This is the administration of relationships between different levels of government, such as between the federal government and state governments.
- What are the different roles of public administrators? Public administrators play a variety of roles, including:
- Policymakers: Public administrators play a key role in developing and implementing public policy. They work with elected officials to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement those solutions.
- Managers: Public administrators are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of government agencies. This includes tasks such as budgeting, personnel management, and program evaluation.
- Service providers: Public administrators are responsible for delivering a wide range of services to the public. This includes services such as education, healthcare, and transportation.
- Regulators: Public administrators are responsible for regulating businesses and other organizations. This includes tasks such as ensuring that businesses comply with environmental regulations and that financial institutions are safe and sound.
- What are the different challenges facing public administration? Public administration faces a number of challenges, including:
- Budget constraints: Public agencies are often facing budget constraints, which can make it difficult to provide services and implement programs.
- Political interference: Public administrators are often subject to political interference, which can make it difficult to make objective decisions.
- Bureaucracy: Public agencies can be slow and inefficient, which can make it difficult to deliver services and implement programs.
- Corruption: Public agencies are sometimes subject to corruption, which can undermine public trust and confidence.
Despite these challenges, public administration is a vital part of our society. Public administrators play a key role in providing essential services, regulating businesses, and implementing public policy.
1. Public administration is the study of:
(A) The management of public resources
(B) The organization and operation of government
(C) The relationship between government and citizens
(D) All of the above
2. Public administration is important because:
(A) It helps to ensure that government is effective and efficient
(B) It helps to protect the rights of citizens
(C) It helps to promote the public good
(D) All of the above
3. The field of public administration is divided into several subfields, including:
(A) Public policy
(B) Public management
(C) PUBLIC FINANCE
(D) All of the above
**4. Public policy is the process of making and implementing decisions about how to allocate public resources.
(A) True
(B) False
**5. Public management is the process of organizing and directing the work of government agencies.
(A) True
(B) False
**6. Public finance is the study of how government raises and spends money.
(A) True
(B) False
**7. Public administration is a relatively new field of study.
(A) True
(B) False
**8. The first public administration schools were established in the United States in the early 20th century.
(A) True
(B) False
**9. Public administration is a multidisciplinary field that draws on insights from a variety of other disciplines, including political science, economics, sociology, and psychology.
(A) True
(B) False
**10. Public administration is a complex and challenging field, but it is also a rewarding one.
(A) True
(B) False