Australian Handbook of Public Sector Management

'This is an excellent 'do-it-yourself' introductory study to public sector management, covering a wide range of issues, including recent public service reforms. I recommend it to anyone interested in the practice and study of public sector management.' - Tony Ayers, National President, Institute of Public Administration Australia

The traditional view of public sector management is under challenge. The shifting boundaries of the public-private sector are transforming the nature of the public sector in the 21st century and placing increasing demands on managers. This user-friendly handbook examines the changes that have taken place over the last twenty years and addresses the practical issues faced by public servants today. It makes abundant use of exhibits, case studies and real world examples to illustrate key concepts in public sector management. By including many 'points for reference', the authors challenge readers to apply both theory and practice to those public services situations with which they are familiar.

Australian Handbook of Public Sector Management is a unique blend of academic and practical approaches to current management practices in the public sector. It has been designed to assist students and those new to the public sector to develop the knowledge and skills they require to provide high quality public services.

Contributors ix

Preface xii

Chapter 1 The public sector - Chris Aulich and Sandra Nutley 1

Chapter 2 Public sector management - Chris Aulich, John Halligan and Sandra Nutley 11

Chapter 3 The public policy process - Jenny Stewart and Russell Ayres 20

Chapter 4 Politics and the policy process - Jennifer Curtin and Craig Symes 36

Chapter 5 Strategic management and corporate planning - Jules Wills 47

Chapter 6 Financial management and budgeting - Grant Jones 60

Chapter 7 Human resource management - Helen Coventry 74

Chapter 8 Diversity management - Anne Junor and Helen Coventry 86

Chapter 9 Managing the employment relationship - Chris Fisher and Anne Junor 99

Chapter 10 Public management in the information age - Alan Jarman and Sandra Nutley 111

Chapter 11 Performance management - Grant Jones 124

Chapter 12 Managing quality - Russell Ayres 138

Chapter 13 Competitive tendering and contract management - Chris Aulich 150

Chapter 14 Change managemen

Dr Chris Aulich is Associate Professor and Director of the Australian Centre for Regional and Local Government Studies. He researches and teaches about competitive tendering and contract management in the public sector.

Dr John Halligan is Professor of Public Administration and has developed an international reputation for his work on comparative public administration.

Dr Sandra Nutley is a senior lecturer in public sector management at the University of St Andrews (Scotland) and has authored or co-authored four books and numerous articles on different aspects of public sector management. Her book The Public Sector Management Handbook has been widely acclaimed by practitioners in the United Kingdom.