Module Description
Public services make up a significant part of most national economies where entrepreneurs, business and social enterprises play an increasingly important role alongside other public bodies and regulators. The current UK coalition government brings to the fore new questions about public spending, the role of public services, the balance and relationships between public and private sectors and the future of a ‘Big Society’. Meeting the challenges of contemporary public service organisation and delivery requires the development of specialist managerial knowledge and skills. This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the key management challenges facing public services across the world, but with particular focus on the UK. The module addresses this aim by examining management themes that have important implications for contemporary public service organisation and delivery.

Module Aims:
6* Introduce students to the major dimensions of public service management, including theory of public management & governance, performance management, human resources management, organisational learning, quality improvement, managing professionals

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ASSESSMENT

The module is assessed through a 3000 word essay.

The essay questions have been design to give you flexibility and discretion. It is recognised that some students will have experience of working in certain public services, and others may have particular career aspirations in these areas. The assessment has therefore been designed to give you a choice of topic areas and management issues to explore.

Essay questions:

Choose one of the following questions:

1. New Public Management has led to a convergence between the public and private sector and enhanced the delivery and organization of public services. Discuss.

2. In what ways have public service reforms challenged the power and status of professionals?

3. How does ‘governance’ differ from public administration? What are the implications of the rise of governance for public service organization and delivery?

4. What are the challenges of managing human resources in a pluralist public sector?

5. Performance management systems assure public accountability and transparency in the use of public resources and the delivery of public services. Discuss.

6. In what ways do public service cultures differ from private and commercial businesses? How might cultural difference impact upon contemporary public service management?

7. It is often claimed that we live in an ‘audit society’. What are the characteristics of an audit society and what are the advantages and disadvantages for public service management?

8. Critically discuss the rationale for collaborative working and partnerships and consider the implications for public service management.

9. Critically discuss the application of risk management systems in healthcare organisations.

10. What is the Big Society and does it represent a revolution in public service delivery?

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READING AND RESOURCES

The primary text for the module is:

Flynn, N. (2012) Public Sector Management (sixth edition), London: Sage

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Suggested journals: Use a few in sources

British Journal of Management
Public Administration
Public Administration Review
Policy and Politics
Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory
Journal of Social Policy
Social Policy and Administration
Social Policy and Society
Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory
Public Money and Management
International Journal of Public Sector Management
International Journal of Public Administration

As well as acquiring knowledge about the wider themes, concepts and debates in public services management, students are encouraged to focus their reading around specific service domains, such as health, social care, education, police services, local government and public utilities, each with their own collection of journals and resources. These are normally found across the university in different library collections. Students are also encouraged to be aware of current developments in public policy and management, politics and current affairs as we are currently living through dramatic and changing times. As such, please be aware of relevant political or media blogs, news media or public debates.