Reflecting the context of MPA education in the time of economic crisis in public sectors in Britain and the Netherlands

Abstract

The reality of the economic crisis and subsequent cuts in public sector funding in some European countries means that the context for public management education is significantly changing. In a period of economic constraint there is the obvious questioning of the cost of public management education programmes and even more of their relevance and academic content. As a consequence of this, there are not only practical challenges for the survival of public management masters programmes during a harsh economic period, but also the challenge for content to remain relevant to the changing environment, and the question of whether they remain a priority not only for those considering taking these courses, but also for those potentially funding and supporting them. Significant cuts to public sector funding have been compounded by a further crisis across many European public sectors and with that the stark reality of both job losses and losses in public service provision. In such a climate there is obvious questioning of the need, and support, for specific public management academic programmes. This article looks at the challenges facing public management education programmes in the UK and The Netherlands, as these two countries are undergoing similar periods of economic restraint in public sector funding and where the requirement for public management education is under scrutiny It argues the need for specific public management programmes despite the blurring of traditional public–private sector divides, and maintains that public management programmes are not only necessary but should continue in order to provide new students and continuing managers with the relevant skills, academic theory and new knowledge needed to manage in contemporary public management. It further argues that public management programmes need to be revised in order to retain their credibility and enable the new type of public manager to be able to manage people and service provision across sectors and in unfamiliar situations. It looks at the current economic crisis in the UK and The Netherlands and attempts to show ways in which public management programmes can adapt by looking at examples to changes to courses in these countries

Changing times

“…The impact actual and anticipated of the funding cuts and the Government's policies for public sector employment have been considerable (Oldfield and Barber, 2012;Oldfield and van den Berg, 2013) Findings by Jewson et al (2015) show that training remained relatively strong in the public sector during the period of economic recession 2008, but that by late 2011 and early 2012, the effect of public expenditure cuts were impacting on training programmes. The effect of the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review was significant.…”

“…In times of economic hardship however, the value and benefit of these courses is being seriously questioned. In a period of economic restraint there is obvious questioning of the cost of public management education programmes and their relevance (Oldfield and van den Berg, 2013). However it can be shown that there is an increased need for XMPA-type programmes, not only to increase students' potential employability, career development and job security at a time of on-going employment vulnerability (Oldfield and van den Berg, 2013), but also to update and increase their skills and knowledge.…”

“…In a period of economic restraint there is obvious questioning of the cost of public management education programmes and their relevance (Oldfield and van den Berg, 2013). However it can be shown that there is an increased need for XMPA-type programmes, not only to increase students' potential employability, career development and job security at a time of on-going employment vulnerability (Oldfield and van den Berg, 2013), but also to update and increase their skills and knowledge. The impact of the recession has in many cases shown not only the need for quick solutions and service reliability, but also the need for better-educated and skilled managers.…”

“…In order for our public management education courses to retain credibility and relevance in the new public sector world, and in a sector badly hit by the effects of austerity measures and limited resources, XMPA courses have to reflect the changed public sector environment. If public management educators are committed to continuing such programmes, they must be prepared to change and adapt (Oldfield and van den Berg, 2013).…”

Public Administration

“…The content of such programmes is kept under review, but of course this applies to all postgraduate programmes. Perhaps the characteristic focus of MPA programmes may specifically be starting to change in response to continuing economic crisis in the countries where the programmes are offered (Oldfield and van den Berg, 2013). Indeed, Diamond and Liddle (2012) make a powerful case for reassessing Public Administration (both as model of decision-making and as subject of teaching provision) in the wake of the global financial crisis.…”