Collaboration between a private home health agency and public volunteer agency (the Senior Companions Program) was evaluated through interviews, site visits and questions. Volunteers were highly valued and important to the organization despite additional administration and training burdens. It was a cost-effective way to expand community-based…

An overview of the theoretical concepts of capitation, a method of paying a provider a fixed price per person served, is presented in conjunction with practical lessons from the literature documenting capitation efforts in public mental health. An analytic framework identifies five major planning concerns in capitation. (SLD)

Examines government activities in Nigeria in relation to prison support services, including health, counseling, training, legal aid, and library services. Recommends public agency networking with nongovernmental organizations to provide needed services. (JOW)

Two collaborative inquiry groups share their processes and findings, such as coresearchers' lived experience is equal in importance to formally collected data; knowledge created in the group belongs to the group; and coresearchers must be equal in contribution and commitment. (SK)

The work of the Visions Education Task Force suggests that Jenne's conceptualization of strategic planning in the public sector can be remarkably effective. A necessary condition for effectiveness was a supportive setting. The rational process of strategic planning proved inappropriate for addressing nonrational issues related to the community's…

As the largest single employer in Los Angeles County and the largest county government in the nation, Los Angles County is heavily affected by demographic and workplace trends. Its unique diverse, multilingual population presents particular challenges in the preparation of a literate work force. (SK)

Total quality management will not work well in government agencies because of stress on products, not services; on well-defined consumer groups; on inputs/processes, not results; and on preoccupation with quality. An effective revised version emphasizes client feedback, performance monitoring, continuous improvement, and worker participation. (SK)

A survey of more than 725 federal, state, and local government agencies received a 30 percent response indicating that 52 percent provide preretirement education (considerably less than the private sector); public agencies emphasize financial more than psychosocial or physical issues; and public sector programs make little postretirement contact…

Compares Australian academic salaries and those throughout the rest of the English-speaking world; examines movements in prices and community wages; and compares salaries in similar occupations in the public sector. Examines the changing nature of academic salaries. (JOW)

As one Maryland district's experience shows, a district-operated food-and-nutrition service is capable of meeting student demands while maintaining a fiscally, administratively, and nutritionally sound program. Districts should first evaluate their food programs as to student satisfaction, financial health, performance and cost/savings incentives,…

A survey of 192 managers and professionals in the Quebec public sector indicated that the absence or inadequacy of practices linked to career planning, development, and support, as well as lack of opportunity to play new roles and participate in work groups, accentuates the perception of career plateauing. (JOW)

Explores the potential mission of the National Education Network (NEN) in light of the emerging global learning infrastructure made possible by the Internet. Develops a five-part framework for exploring the nature of education information provision in a networked digital environment and examines government-sponsored and private sector initiatives.…

Discussion of the dissemination of government information focuses on the debate concerning public versus private access to government information; efforts of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS); electronic access and the need for printed documents; and joint efforts between government agencies and the private sector to charge for…

A study of the effect of organizational politics on 303 Israeli public employees found that public sector workers are more likely to react to organizational politics with negligent behavior than quitting. Women, highly educated employees, and those with higher incomes showed fewer intentions of neglect. (Contains 66 references.) (SK)

The experience of a county government illustrates factors to consider in implementing online employment testing for job candidates: (1) selection of the appropriate Internet-based test; (2) passwords, timing, security, and technical difficulties; and (3) provisions for applicants who lack Internet access. (SK)