Suchergebnisse

There is good reason to attempt to draw on existing stocks of social capital in collaborative partnerships directed to community quality-of-life improvements. Such efforts tend to be broadly supported by conservative and liberal elements alike, and where social capital is strong, positive effects can be observed in a relatively short period of time. It is important to recognize, however, that in settings where social capital resources are weak, it will be necessary to make a long-term commitment to (and patience with) agency-community partnerships.

This article examines the influence of workplace participation and job enrichment in promoting employee motivation. Using data gathered from a panel survey of public employees in Washington state, the authors found workplace participation and job enrichment to be more salient determinants of public employee motivation than merit pay. They also suggest that the adoption of a participative performance appraisal system may even improve employee attitudes toward compensation.

This brief article argues that contemporary public administration theory and practice can be well served by the competition between two opposing paradigms, each claiming the status of a disciplinary Weltanschauung. The two approaches in question, one reflecting pessimistic and the other optimistic views on the potential for societal betterment via the improvement of governmental administrative organizations and practices, are well reflected in the works of Vincent Ostrom and Robert T. Golembiewski and their respective kindred spirits. Because the issues that divide these two approaches are central to the question of proper democratic governance in the postindustrial age, the potential exists for a creative contribution to social life by public administration theory.