ASSIGNMENT:
- DISCUSS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEORIES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ARE STILL RELEVANT TO CARRYING OUT POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS IN UGANDA
- HOW CAN WE ENHANCE ATTRACTIVENESS OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE EAST AFRICAN REGION
- DISCUSS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEORIES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ARE STILL RELEVANT TO CARRYING OUT POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS IN UGANDA
Theory is a tool used in analyzing, understanding, predicting a problem, acceptable principles, methodology/ Is what makes you believe in what you want to achieve.
Theory of Public Administration fosters the understanding of historical foundations of bureaucracy, search for knowledge and analyzing metamorphosis experienced in the field of Public Administration.
Examples of Public Administration include; the scientific management theory; Taylor (1911), McGregor’s Theories X and Y, Max Weber – Bureaucracy, new Public Management, multiple stream theory /Garbage can Models etc
On the other hand, Public Administration is the Implementation of government policies in a caring and mature manner.
Theories of Public Administration are relevant to carrying out policies and implementing programmes in Uganda today given the crucial issues and challenges faced by public administration. Theories help in explaining phenomena, administrative practice and guide empirical research for critical investigations, hypothetical prepositions and presumed relationships among administrative experiences, in a dynamic and turbulent environment in which available resources do not match societal demands. They are a solution to challenges of public administration management associated with problems faced by most developing countries like Uganda including but not limited to urbanization, industrialization, sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of public services delivered to the citizens, as discussed below;
Theories of Public Administration recount on improving efficiency of workers for productivity. The scientific management theory and management theory of Max-Weber envisions this through putting much emphasis on training workers in the standard of work methods and orientation. In Uganda, under Ministry of Public Service there is civil service college in Jinja where all new public servants are taken for training and orientation in management public affairs. The private sector is also obliged to orient workers before embarking on any assignment so as to ensure
In implementing policies and programs in public institutions, specialization is given due consideration concentrating mainly on the ability of individuals consequently resulting into equal division of labour and responsibility which in the long run culminates into increased productivity and accountability. This is clearly stipulated in the scientific management theory by Taylor (1911).
Government of Uganda today is decentralized as a means of improving efficiency and effectiveness in implementing government policies and programs as suggested by the new public management theory which emphasizes splitting large bureaucracies into smaller, more fragmented agencies. This also has enabled government to bring services closer to the people. For example through Local Government, Uganda Roads Authority and Uganda Road Fund under Ministry of Transport and Works, National Water and Sewerage Corporation under Ministry of Water and Environment.
All government institutions are guided by written documents in carrying out policies and implementing programmes in form of policy, statutes, constitutional provisions, executive orders, circulars and other binding directives. Max Weber’s theory of public administration emphasizes management based on written records, a practice that all public institutions and agencies use as a means of ensuring good governance in managing public affairs.
In reference to Taylor’s scientific theory, incentives paid vary depending on the piece of work performed. This theory analyzes and treats each worker individually which ensures increased productivity and efficiency in implementing policies and programs.
Most public institutions/organizations adopt to Max Weber’s and Taylor’s theories of public administration of a firmly ordered hierarchy of superior and subordination. In this case the managers are given authority to instruct and the workers to take instructions without question. This theory is relevant in carrying out policies and implementing programs in a way that it ensures efficiency in service delivery since it draws a clear line of command with a clear vision which is ideal for standardization of outputs.
Max-Weber’s management theory emphasizes considering fixed and official jurisdictional areas in management of public affairs so as to reduce diversity and ambiguity as a means of increasing efficiency in service delivery. In Uganda, different government departments and agencies are have specific and fixed jurisdictional areas which has minimized duplication of outputs and therefore encouraging optimal utilization of the scarce resources.
Public Administration theories are relevant to carrying out policies and implementing programmes in a way of promoting organization development through improving organizational culture. Mc Gregor’s X and Y theories consider the fact that people are different and therefore the need for different approaches when managing them. He looks at people who dislike work and have to be guided and reinforced to work, “theory X”, comparing them with those who view work as normal and that it’s only an enabling environment that is needed to be put in place for employees to maximize outputs. In this case, the theories point to the fact that people can change through good mentorship, which is relevant in public administration in Uganda today as a means of fostering efficiency and productivity.
Henri Fayal’s administrative management theory views an ideal organization as a product of personal efforts and team dynamics. This implies that in carrying out of policies and implementing programmes, there is need to view management in a wider perspective of; forecasting and planning, building structures and systems, decision making, coordination and internal controls. When all these factors are combined, there will be good relationship between the workers and the institution they serve and hence lead to economic gain for the country.
However, it is important to note that to some extent, some of the theories of public administration have limited applicability to carrying out policies and implementing programmes in Uganda;
Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory ignores the many differences people have by emphasizing “one best way” to perform a given job. In a dynamic a turbulent environment where societal demands are way higher than available resources there’s need for diversity in systems approach to ensure efficiency in Management public affairs.
Taylor’s Theory was also tied to very limited innovation on best way of doing a job. This theory does not give due consideration to implied roles that would be significant to performance improvement that would lead to increased output. This Theory cannot apply to carrying out policies and implementing programmes in Uganda where resources are limited as compared to demand for services.
Treating people rather than citizens is an inappropriate borrowing from the private model which “sees customers as a means to an end (profit) rather than as proprietors (owners)”; David and Ted. This Theory views people as economic units and not democratic participants, which defies public confidence in Public Administrative Systems and implementation procedures.
In conclusion, Social, Political and Environmental problems related to problems of urbanization, industrialization, sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery require a Public Administrative System that is diverse and dynamic. It should be able to address Management Challenges in turbulent environment where societal demands are way higher than available resources through a broader perspective that puts into consideration the various roles of management including planning, building of systems and structures, taking strategic decisions, coordinating and ensuring internal controls. This approach puts due consideration on efficiency of both the institution, the managers and the workers. It is also equally important to compare and contrast all Theories of Public Administration and apply them in management of public affairs today as need arises.
- HOW CAN WE ENHANCE ATTRACTIVENESS OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE EAST AFRICAN REGION
Efforts to integrate the East African region are ongoing giving due consideration to the socio-economic development of region. Various efforts to achieve this have been embarked on and most notable is the East African Standard gauge railway among others. However much discussion is on economic and political transformation. This leaves a lot of work that has to be done on the part of public service in the region. Below is a discussion on enhancement of attractiveness of public service and effectiveness of public administration in the East African region;
Promoting equal opportunity between genders in public organizations. Promoting equal opportunities is one of the basic components of good governance. This ensures gender equality as well as ensuring equal opportunities to all employees regardless of ethnic origin, age, religion etc. The East African region should put in place measures to ensure equal access to the labour market in general.
Increasing mobility of public servants both within the public sector and between the private and public sector. Periodic transfer of public servants will motivate public servants by encouraging them to take up competitive career prospects. This will lower chances of corruption and thereby promote accountability among public servants and above all attract new public servants to public service.
Regular monitoring and evaluation of strategic actions is a crucial part of the process and is a tool for continuing development and improvement. Regardless of the changes that the public sector is undergoing, governments in the East African region need to continue carrying out their fundamental core functions. These functions mainly rely on the human workforce as a key resource. This calls for adequate and regular monitoring and evaluation of the human workforce and the processes being conducted for efficiency and economic gain.
Raising standards for ethics and integrity among public servants across the East African region. It is fundamental to governments to provide a trustworthy framework for the economic and social lives of their citizens as a means of promoting good governance. This will also enhance the image of the public sector and thus the competitiveness of the public employer as well. Success in giving potential employees and citizens a true picture of an administration with corporate values and high standards of ethics and integrity will have an influence on the attractiveness and competitiveness of public service.
By introducing minimum wage for all public servants across the region for example Kenya has taken the lead in enacting laws to this effect, a policy that the rest of the East African countries can exemplify.
Promoting transparency and good governance in conducting of public affairs across the region will enhance attractiveness of the public service. For example recruitment of public officers through the public service commission. There is urgent need of promoting fairness within the recruitment procedure so that those selected are fit for the job.
Encourage and promote capacity building and conducting continuous professional development among Public servants, a platform for innovativeness and professionalism. This will ensure efficiency in service delivery among public servants and thereby increase productivity and economic gain for the country.
Conducting surveys in order to help determine problems and find possible solutions. Survey are a good way to obtain information regarding both positive and negative factors that influence the public sector’s attractiveness as an employer. A well informed organization is in position to handle all possible challenges associated with the dynamic and turbulent environment in which governments operate today.
Equitable allocation of resources among all government organizations and agencies so as to improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery across the region.
Involvement of all stakeholders in strategic planning and implementation of programmes and policies as a means of promoting effective representation of the common interest of all.
Motivation of public servants by providing incentives to all public servants in form of housing, transport, medical, lunch allowances and bonuses. Such schemes will improve general welfare of public servants and thereby encourage efficiency and productivity in service delivery.
Amendment of policies within the public service standing orders in favour of the public servants. For example reforming of the human resource management policies where one should be entitled to their retirement package in case of voluntary resignation or early retirement.
Retirement benefits schemes that are feasible and realistic to the public servants. These include benefits that can sustain a public servants social and economic status.
Improved efficiency and effectiveness of public spending which not only help maintain the fiscal discipline of the public sector but also is instrumental in promoting the structural reform agenda of the East African member states. It alleviates budget constraints as it allows achieving the same results at lower levels of spending or increases values for money by achieving better outcomes at the same level of spending.
Conclusively, socio-economic situation in the East African region member states, just like all other African countries has been degenerating while the political environment has not been facilitative.
Public administrators have tended to view the situation in non-crisis terms and have continued to stick to bureaucratic approaches imbued with micro-politics. As a result governance has always been compromised and the capacities for these states to deal with the problem compromised. As a means of improving the attractiveness of public service will enhance effectiveness of public administration in the East African through promotion good governance, promoting transparency, ensuring impartiality, accountability, promoting competence, simplicity and humility in persons responsible, promoting impartiality and creating and sustaining an environment conducive to development.
