Reimagining leadership – and its relationship with management – for the public sector

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-111
Author(s):  
Don Dunoon
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Distinct Form ◽  
Dominant Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review and critique three conventional assumptions about leadership and put forward an alternative framing, with leadership presented as a distinct form of intervention in particular moments to management. The paper also presents a structure for supporting leadership action by individuals and groups as an alternate to management action, which is seen as the dominant form. Design/methodology/approach Reflects an elaboration and distillation of concepts developed by the author since an earlier paper on essentially the same topic, drawing on his 20-plus years’ experience as a leadership developer. Findings Although not an empirical account, the paper seeks to demonstrate how, when conventional but infrequently challenged assumptions about leadership are “peeled back”, a new way of understanding leadership, especially in connection with management, is revealed. Research limitations/implications Suggestions are offered as to how the concepts and tools presented here could be evaluated, including in comparison with established leadership frameworks. Practical implications Outlines three practices for supporting leadership action in public sector organisations. These practices are working from observation, attributing reasonableness (allowing that others are reasonable) and speaking with authenticity. Collectively, these are known as the OBREAU Tripod (with “OBREAU” comprised of the first two letters in each of the pivotal words, observation, reasonableness and authenticity). Originality/value Conceiving of leadership as a different form of in-the-moment action to management in a public sector context is a distinctive contribution to the literature.

scholarly journals The future of auditing research in the public sector

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Hay ◽  
Carolyn J. Cordery
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Opportunities ◽  
The Public ◽  
What Works ◽  
The Future ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review opportunities for future research about auditing in the public sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the viewpoints of two researchers, supported by research that is cited in the paper.FindingsPublic sector auditing research has grown considerably. The authors expect further growth. The authors debunk some myths about public sector auditing. The authors suggest areas where there are opportunities for research. In particular, researchers can examine a broader range of jurisdictions, investigate differences among countries and develop suggestions about what works best.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents the views of the authors.Practical implicationsThere are opportunities for further research across different jurisdictions.Originality/valueThe paper makes a contribution by outlining research opportunities.

Security of classified information: one standard or many?

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Michael Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Department Heads ◽  
Government Employee ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Single Standard ◽  
Political Appointee ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose There should be one standard for those with access to classified data. Leadership by example should be required by all managers, supervisors and department heads. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a viewpoint and does not have a methodology. Findings Leaders who work in the public sector have an inherent responsibility to earn and maintain the trust of the public for whom they serve. Regardless of whether one is a career government employee, a politician or a political appointee, all who have access to classified material should respect the necessity of safeguards to keep one’s nation’s secrets – secret. Research limitations/implications If leaders fail to set the example, then nations risk further breaches of their classified information. Practical implications This viewpoint applies to anyone who works in an environment dealing with classified material. Social implications This viewpoint serves to educate the public on maintaining a single standard for those who handle classified material. Originality/value The author has yet to see much covered in peer-reviewed publications on this topic and believe that the subject is particularly relevant at this time.

Contextualising the antecedents of organisational innovativeness

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ahrens ◽  
Aishah A.K. Al-Sereidi ◽  
Halimah F. Al-Shaebi ◽  
Asra H. Rahmdel
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Organisational Capabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the specific meanings underlying the general antecedents of organisational innovativeness (OI) in one specific public sector context, to fill empirically the categories employed in prior quantitative research and to understand better some of the opportunities for strengthening facilitators of OI and overcoming barriers to OI that present themselves in particular contexts. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on a field study. It uses 29 semi-structured interviews with the members of UAE government and semi-government organisations. The research methodology is qualitative: it seeks to elucidate the meanings that structure the respondents’ understandings of innovation at work. Findings Across the UAE public sector there are great differences in organisational members’ interest in, and readiness to engage with, OI. Members of the public sector tended to conceptualise OI as a set of individual efforts and relationships in which the trust with superiors played a key role, as did the availability of individual rewards. For some respondents communication served as an umbrella term to denote organisational characteristics that would enable individuals to join efforts to make the public sector more innovative. Overall, the great variations in respondents’ ability to articulate and conceptualise the antecedents of OI suggests that organisational capabilities to support OI need strengthening. Research limitations/implications The paper’s insights are based on the study of the public sector of only one country and may be difficult to generalise to other countries. Practical implications The paper suggests ways in which Emirati public sector organisations can strengthen the facilitators of OI and overcome the obstacles presented by the barriers to OI in order to help public sector leaders and employees make innovation a routine element of their day-to-day work. Originality/value The paper presents a first attempt at using qualitative research to deepen our understanding of the antecedents of organisational innovativeness in the public sector.

Housing and health – a public health perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22
Author(s):  
Adrian Phillips ◽  
Andy Baker
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Home Environment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Major City ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a viewpoint on homelessness and health gained from a practical public health perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Views derived from local review as well as other national epidemiology and research. Findings – That housing has real impacts upon health especially for those who are homeless. Research limitations/implications – This is a viewpoint from a major city in England. Practical implications – Homelessness leads to extreme vulnerability. There are other aspects of the home environment that impact elsewhere in the public sector, especially the health service. Vulnerable individuals are more likely to become homeless which can lead to exacerbation of vulnerability. Originality/value – This is a viewpoint derived solely from local practice.

Do public sector mergers (re)shape reputation?

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilma L. Luoma-aho ◽  
Mirja E. Makikangas
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The public sector worldwide is under pressure to downsize, which has led to mergers of public sector organisations. This paper seeks to bridge the unstudied gap of what happens to organisational reputation after a merger. The paper discusses change and reputation in the public sector, and reports findings of a longitudinal study on stakeholder assessments of four public sector organisations undergoing mergers recently. Design/methodology/approach – Following a theory-driven content analysis, this longitudinal study compares stakeholder assessments of four public sector organisations' reputations a year before an organisational merger with assessments of the two resulting organisations' reputations two years after the merger. Findings – The paper finds that the mergers did not really re-shape reputation, but the once established reputation persevered. Although the organisations faced greater expectations after the merger, only minor changes in reputation were detected post-merger: the reputation for expertise, heavy bureaucracy and trustworthiness remained strong after the merger, but certain traits, such as being international and esteemed, were lost. In both cases, one organisation's prior reputation slightly dominated the new reputation. Research limitations/implications – The findings may be limited to Finland and other Nordic countries, as well as those countries where trust in the public sector is high. Practical implications – Mergers may not change once-established reputations, and hence the improvements desired by mergers may go unnoticed by the different stakeholders. Organisations merging must prepare for increased stakeholder expectations, as the new organisations arise questions. Previous organisational traits may remain in stakeholders' assessments despite any achieved improvements. Originality/value – This paper addresses the gap in studying organisational reputation after public sector mergers, and contributes to both theory and practice by providing insight into the stability of once-established reputations.

In the public eye

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Public Sector Entrepreneurship

Purpose of this paper Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings For many, the idea of public sector entrepreneurship will seem something of an oxymoron. The public sector, particularly in many developed countries, often suffers from a series of drab stereotypes – that everything within its institutions moves at a glacial pace, that any progress is stymied by labyrinthine bureaucracies, and that both of these factors work together to hold back creative thinking or agile solutions. In short, if you were to design a mechanism that would prevent entrepreneurship from flourishing, it would be something very much akin to this nightmare vision of the public sector. Practical implications Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. What is original/value of paper? The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

E-government transformations: challenges and strategies

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keld Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Successful Case ◽  
Path Dependent ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So ◽  
Project Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how to analyse the possibilities for e-government transformations in public sector organisations and how these possibilities can be improved. Design/methodology/approach The research constructs a model based on a literature review that focusses on the pressure that drives transformations, on the challenges transformations face and on the abilities needed for overcoming these challenges. The resulting model is subsequently used to analyse a successful case and to identify the keys to success in terms of the strategies used to transform. Findings The possibilities for transformation depend on the organisational and contextual configuration (a public sector organisation and the context it operates in) which is more or less supportive of transformations. The configuration can be characterized by the pressure to transform, the challenges that must be overcome and the abilities to do so. There are some basic conditions that impact the possibilities for making the configuration more supportive of transformations: the interest of powerful stakeholders, the degree of publicness, the possibilities for changing the configuration are path dependent and the factors that matter for the possibilities for transformation are interrelated and might be governed by different authorities which make it difficult to manage and change them. When improving the possibilities for transformation in a configuration, the pressure can be increased, transformations can be made easier to accomplish by reducing challenges and by providing more support and abilities might be developed to better overcome the challenges. Transformation is accomplished through an interplay between actions that improve and exploit the configuration. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on a single case. Practical implications The public sector should find the balance between making transformations easier and increasing capabilities. The lessons from this research suggest that a more balanced strategy focussing more on eliminating the contextual and organisational challenges that make these projects so complex and providing more support might be a better investment than just aiming to increase project level capabilities. Social implications Just as practice might benefit from changing the balance between increasing project level capabilities and making transformation easier, e-government research might improve its relevance by changing the balance between suggesting new approaches and researching the basic conditions for the exploitation of IT in public sector organisations. While the essence of public sector organisations in some cases makes transformations very challenging, there are still factors that might be improved upon through research. Originality/value Previous research has established knowledge about transformational challenges and solutions. Based on this knowledge this research constructs a model that can be used to systematically analyse the possibilities for success, and strategies for dealing with these challenges are suggested.

The kids aren’t alright

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 8-10
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds his own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This review gives not only a frightening but also helpful insight into the future of work in the public sector. While a solution presents itself so easily, the way forwards toward it must be regarded with trepidation, as if calls to increase youth employment through additional workers being drawn to the aged healthcare sector are unsuccessful, there will be a very bleak future indeed for those at both ends of the employment spectrum. Practical implications This paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives’ and researchers’ hours of reading time by selecting the very best and most pertinent information and by presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Triggers that can lead to greater innovativeness

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Tangible Rewards ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – How do firms persuade employees to participate in innovation activities and to renew their work? It is a question which especially concerns the public sector, where monetary or other tangible rewards are not available. Using two such bodies in Finland, this article examines links between well-being and innovativeness and discovers some contradictions among the findings that would have been easier to predict. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Developing diversity skills with university students

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
Mary Hartog ◽  
Julie Haddock-Millar ◽  
Chris Rigby ◽  
Doirean Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Human Potential ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Common Value ◽  
Graduate Employment ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Points up the importance of developing people in organizations to enhance diversity. Design/methodology/approach – Draws on two presentations to a conference on diversity at Middlesex University, London. Findings – Highlights the role mentoring can play, first to achieve access to graduate-employment opportunities in the public sector and secondly to enable people to work together effectively and harmoniously in teams with greater respect through awareness and appreciation of difference. Practical implications – Describes the public-sector diversity-mentoring scheme, the primary goal was to widen the pool of applicants to graduate-employment opportunities in the sector from ethnic minorities and working-class backgrounds. Social implications – Explains that, while respect is a common value shared by all, in one culture it may be experienced differently from in another and for teams to work harmoniously all members need to feel respected. Originality/value – Shows how diversity is the key to better relationships and the flourishing of human potential.

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