The Coordination of Public Sector Organizations: Shifting Patterns of Public Management

by Geert Bouckaert, B. Guy Peters, Koen Verhoest

Overview

This book discusses the trajectories of creating specialized autonomous units. An analysis of the mechanisms and measures taken for granting autonomy to specialized autonomous units and subsequently to coordinating them back is described. The book shows a range of patterns in the dynamics of specialization and coordination over 25 years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230240155
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	02/24/2010
Series:	Public Sector Organizations
Edition description:	2010
Pages:	326
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

GEERT BOUCKAERT is Professor and Director of the Public Management Institute, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

B. GUY PETERS is Maurice Falk Professor of American Government, University of Pittsburgh, USA.

KOEN VERHOEST is Assistant Professor and Research Manager, Public Management Institute, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

Table of Contents

List of Figures vii

List of Tables x

Notes on Authors xi

Acknowledgements xii

List of Abbreviations xiii

Part 1 Concepts, Theories and Methodology

1 The Main Argument - Specialization without Coordination is Centrifugal 3

2 Coordination: What Is It and Why Should We Have It? 13

3 Resources, Mechanisms and Instruments for Coordination 34

4 How To Map Coordination: Issues of Methodology 67

Part 2 Specialization and Coordination in Seven Countries (1980-2005)

5 Coordination in New Zealand 95

6 Coordination in the United Kingdom 114

7 Coordination in Sweden 132

8 Coordination in the Netherlands 152

9 Coordination in France 170

10 Coordination in Belgium 187

11 Coordination in the United States 208

Part 3 Cross-Country Comparison

12 Specialization and Coordination in Seven Countries: Findings and Discussion 237

Appendix. Comparative Tables 273

References 284

General 284

Country Chapter: New Zealand 293

Country Chapter: United Kingdom 295

Country Chapter: Sweden 297

Country Chapter: The Netherlands 299

Country Chapter: France 303

Country Chapter: Belgium 305

Country Chapter: United States 308

Notes 310

Index 316