Galloping Elephants: Rainey and Steinbauer

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Galloping Elephants Rainey and Steinbauer

• Developing elements of a framework or theory of
  effective public organizations
• Reject myth of inherent ineffectiveness
• Propositions about effective government

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Definition of Effectiveness

• Effectiveness is measured by whether an
  organization does well that which it is supposed
  to do, whether people in the agency work hard and
  well, whether the actions and procedures of the
  agency and its members are well suited to
  achieving its mission and whether the agency
  actually achieves its mission.
• What are the key elements of the definition?
• Is this a workable definition?

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Examples of Effectiveness

• Social Security Administration
• administrative costs with comparable private
  sector firms are lower and efficiency gains
  continue to accrue
• Centers for Disease Control
• US. Forest Service
• Customs and Passport Offices
• Other Indicators Baldridge Awards, Tom Peters
  In Search of Excellence

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Exhibit 10.1--Propositions about effective
government

• See Stillman, Public Administration, p. 304 or
  handout for Exhibit 10.1.

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Figure 10.1 Characteristics/Model

• Key elements in the model affecting effectiveness
• Stakeholders support
• Autonomy (curvilinear relationship
  w/effectiveness)
• Mission/orientation (mission valence/attractivenes
  s)
• Organization Culture
• Leadership/management (stability /multiplicity/
  commitment to mission/effectiveness/political
  skills
• Task design/work environment (extrinsic/intrinsic
  rewards)
• Public service motivation

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PUBLIC SERVICE MOTIVATION

• Mission Motivation

• Task Motivation