Globalization, governance, and Administrative Culture

Understanding Administrative Culture: Some Theoretical and Methodological Remarks

“…These influence interpersonal relations both within and beyond the organization, thus impacting performance and outcomes for the wider society. Administrative culture defines what acceptable and legitimate behavior is and therefore provides a framework for behaving, acting, and forming preferences (Jamil, 1994;Lam 1994;Denison & Mishra 1995;Jabbra & Dwivedi, 2004). In analyzing administrative culture, researchers have usually focused on the central bureaucracy and top civil servants, profiling their traits and behavior, and examining the consequences of this for organizational performance (Jabbra & Dwivedi, 2004, p. 1110Lam, 2004, p. 194).…”

On the 75th Anniversary of ASPA

“…A comparative approach can counteract tendencies toward parochialism or the premature adoption of uniform “best practice” solutions. In fact, “smart practices” (Bardach, 2000) are better suited to adapting and sustaining exogenous innovations because they are based on the assumption that, while we can learn much from comparative study, applying what we learn must take into account variables specific to the context to which lessons are to be applied (Jabbra & Dwivedi, 2004; Robinson, 2007; Rogers, 2003). Such research can be critical for public administrators and policy makers, because without adaptation to contingencies, they will make little or no progress (Caiden & Sundaram, 2004).…”

A New Look at Comparative Public Administration: Trends in Research and an Agenda for the Future

“…These include administrative or managerial functions such as decision making, leadership, human resource management, budget and financial management, information systems, policy or program implementation, and oversight and accountability. Given many comparative scholars’ emphasis on the importance of including and understanding culture in comparative work (Jabbra and Dwivedi 2004; Jreisat 2005; Pollitt 2011; Robinson 2007), it was also important to study the extent to which authors considered the culture of the countries or other units they were studying in the formulation and implementation of their research. Culture was considered a central part of the article if the researcher addressed the values, views, norms, or attitudes of the regions being studied or individuals or groups in the region.…”

“…Also, it can help scholars and practitioners recognize how differences in governance contexts—institutions, administrative processes, and culture—can present opportunities and challenges for effectively adopting uniform “best practice” solutions. In fact, research shows that “smart practices” (Bardach 2000) are better suited to adapting and sustaining exogenous innovations because they are based on the assumption that, while we can learn much from comparative study, applying what we learn must take into account variables specific to the context to which lessons are to be applied (Jabbra and Dwivedi 2004; Robinson 2007; Rogers 2003). Such research can be critical for public administrators and policy makers, as without adaptation to contingencies, they will make little or no progress (Barzelay 2001; Caiden and Sundaram 2004).…”