Suchergebnisse

Clothing can be a potent symbol of social standing and professional position. Indeed, written and unwritten dress standards are common in organizations. This exploratory study presents the results of a national survey of state human resource managers. Five topic areas are examined: the general importance of attire in society and government; the role of personal appearance in organizations; sources of apparel standards; prevalence of codes in agencies; and respondent advice and questions about dress regulations.

Published admissions standards typically include factors such as test scores, grades, and letters of recommendation. Yet there is little direct evidence in the literature on how these criteria as well as race and sex are actually utilized in student selection. That is, what are the operative rules in admissions decisions? This study reports the results of a survey of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration principal representatives. Each respondent was presented an applicant profile booklet designed to estimate the impact of grades, GRE scores, references, race, and gender on admission decisions. In the findings we discuss how these variables are considered in the selection process. The analysis concludes with a commentary on the implications of the data for Master of Public Administration programs, and their admissions practices.

AbstractA study of the impact of the nonpartisan Nebraska legislature on the nature of career recruitment to and from the legislature. Findings show greater diversity of people serving as legislators and reduction of legislative experience on the part of state executives and the congressional delegation. Wisconsin and Iowa are used for comparisons.

Ethics provides the preconditions for the making of good public policy as all policies depend on it. This book builds upon the authors' teaching and research in government ethics. As a core text for upper-level undergraduate and beginning graduate students, it will examine conceptual tools to clarify moral experiences, analyze individual decision making strategies, and assess organizational ethics programs. The emphasis is not only on "how to," but also "why." The manuscript will be written in a manner accessible to academicians, students, and managers; it will to offer them practical knowledge and insight into ethics in government. To that end, the book is not about right and wrong answers. Rather it aims to understand ethics and human behavior in an analytical, yet provocative manner by extending one's ordinary moral experience by making it explicit, clearer, and more consistent.

Upon assuming office, executive, legislative, and judicial officials swear an oath as evidence of dedication, commitment, and duty to the Constitution. As such, they play a quintessential role in upholding democratic values. Yet contrasted to codes of ethics, oaths get little recognition in the study of public administration. What attention they do receive focuses primarily on the presidential oath of office. This article examines a little-researched topic: governmental oaths in American states. The inquiry is useful because oaths can help safeguard the integrity of civic institutions. As a distinguishing feature of public service, oath-taking nonetheless may be seen as a routine formality without consequence. The article discusses this rite of passage, explores its past and current functions, reviews the literature, and analyzes state oaths. The work concludes with observations on the prospects of these testimonials in troubled times, times that require the restoration of honor, dignity, and virtue in government.

The practice of making oaths comes from ancient times, a tradition common to virtually all peoples and cultures. Recent calls for ethics reform have included questions about how or whether these declarations are honored. In the fraught politics of today's secularized, pluralistic society, skepticism about oaths may be tempting, but it is insufficient as the topic deserves critical reflection. This study assesses the efficacy of oaths of office by examining them using intellectual, aesthetic, moral, and spiritual transcendental values that define excellence. The analysis offers recommendations to reinforce the significance of this once-venerable bond between the populace and public servants.