East Georgia State College Public Administration and Private Administration Essay
ANSWER
(1) Selecting Organizations: For the purpose of this analysis, let’s consider two hypothetical organizations:
- Public Administration: A state-run healthcare agency responsible for managing public health services in a specific region.
- Private Administration: A multinational pharmaceutical corporation engaged in drug manufacturing and distribution.
(2) Major Similarities and Differences:
Similarities:
a. Management Structure: Both public and private administrations have hierarchical management structures. They typically include top-level executives, middle management, and front-line employees. In both cases, decision-making processes flow from the top down.
b. Resource Allocation: Both types of organizations must effectively allocate resources, whether it’s public funds in the case of public administration or private capital in the case of private administration. Efficient resource allocation is critical for achieving organizational goals.
Differences:
a. Purpose and Accountability:
- Public Administration: The primary purpose is to serve the public interest and address societal needs. Public administrators are accountable to the citizens and elected officials. Transparency and accountability are paramount.
- Private Administration: The primary purpose is profit generation for shareholders. Private administrators are primarily accountable to shareholders and boards of directors. Profit maximization is often a key driver.
b. Decision-Making Criteria:
- Public Administration: Decision-making is often influenced by political considerations, public opinion, and social equity. The focus may be on achieving social welfare goals even if they are not financially profitable.
- Private Administration: Decision-making is profit-driven, with a focus on maximizing returns on investment. Profitability and market competitiveness are central considerations.
(3) Changing View of the Importance of Public Administration:
Before taking a course on public administration, an individual may have a limited understanding of the crucial role it plays in society. They might perceive it as bureaucratic and inefficient. However, after taking such a course, their viewpoint is likely to change significantly:
- Increased Awareness: Understanding the complexities and challenges faced by public administrators can lead to a greater appreciation for their role in delivering essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
- Importance of Accountability: Learning about the principles of transparency and accountability in public administration can emphasize the importance of responsible governance, which directly affects citizens’ well-being.
- Balancing Public and Private Interests: A course on public administration may also highlight the delicate balance between public and private interests, helping individuals recognize the need for effective regulation and oversight in various sectors.
- Realizing the Impact: Studying public administration can make individuals more aware of how government decisions influence their daily lives, from tax policies to environmental regulations.
In conclusion, a course on public administration can transform one’s perspective by shedding light on the critical role public administration plays in shaping society, ensuring accountability, and balancing the interests of citizens and businesses. It can lead to a deeper appreciation of the importance of effective governance and public services in our lives.
QUESTION
Description
(1) Select an organization that best represents your understanding of public administration and one that best represents your understanding of private administration.
(2) Using the selected organizations, analyze at least two major similarities and two major differences between public administration and private administration. Please, be as specific as possible and apply the similarities and differences specifically to your selected organizations. That is, you should use the selected organizations in explaining the similarities and differences. You are to use at least two sources outside the textbook – peer-reviewed journal articles on administration – to support your analysis. In general, you can find acceptable peer-reviewed journals by searching social sciences databases (such as Academic Search Complete – EBSCO). Some journals specific to public administration are Public Administration Review, Public Administration Quarterly, Administrative Theory & Praxis, and Administration & Society.
(3) Finally, describe how the course content has helped change your view of the importance of public administration in your life has changed. You are to compare your view of the importance of public administration before taking this course, with your view of the importance of public administration after taking this course and describe how taking the course contributed to the change in viewpoint.