Managing Complexity in the Public Services

Philip Haynes

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English

Routledge
13 March 2015

Public administration; Civil service & public sector

The application of complexity theory to management and the social sciences has been a key development in theory and practice over the last decade. This approach questions the possibility of finding universal methods of practice, and proposes a pragmatic and humanistic management style that evolves out of a reflective method. The focus is on practitioners observing patterns of similarity and being adaptable in decision-making.

Bringing complexity theory into management reveals the importance of organizational culture and effective communication because people, their values and their objectives are at the heart of this method. Information technology provides a framework for complex communication and knowledge use, but it cannot replace highly developed professional negotiations and cooperation.

This book argues that the complexity of the public service world limits the usefulness of classical and rational scientific management approaches such as New Public Management. Excessive marketization threatens a collaborative approach and overly rigid approaches to performance management and strategic management can be dysfunctional.

Managing Complexity in the Public Services 2nd Edition advances a method of management practice that copes with the stark realities of the complex and unpredictable public policy world. It develops pragmatic management practices from action research that will be valuable to both academics and practitioners. The result is a new value-based practice for the post-crisis public service world.

By: Philip Haynes
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd edition
Dimensions: Height: 246mm, Width: 174mm,
Weight: 317g
ISBN: 9780415739269
ISBN 10: 0415739268
Pages: 162
Publication Date: 13 March 2015
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education , A / AS level
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1.Management, Professions and the Public Service Context 2.What is Complexity? 3.Strategy and Planning in an Unstable World 4.Complexity and the Performance of Public Services 5.Information Management 6.People in Public Organizations

Philip Haynes is Professor in Public Policy and Head of School of Applied Social Science at Brighton University, UK. He is the author of Public Policy Beyond the Financial Crisis: An International Comparative Study, 2012, Routledge and has published extensively in journals such as Public Management Review and International Journal of Public Administration and Social Policy and Administration

Reviews for Managing Complexity in the Public Services

'Phil Haynes' excellent book demonstrates, once again, how far complexity thinking has come, how much it has to offer those working with public policy and management and how to go beyond the rigid limitations of New Public Management and the targeting/auditing culture.' - Robert Geyer, Professor, Lancaster University, UK