Consistent differences are identified in the organizational environment and managerial activity of data processing organizations between the public and private sectors. A public organization's environment reflects greater interdependence and accountability, leading to more red tape. (Author)

Examines the employment of minorities and women in individual federal agencies as of September 1988. Focuses on the influence of factors including agency size, union strength, blue collar/clerical employment, and the rate of new hires of Blacks, Hispanics, and women. Finds that contextual variables explain much of the variation in integration.…

The liability of government and nonprofit organizations for failure to train employees has increased. Nonexistent training policies may be seen as deliberate indifference. Public sector administrators should assess the current state of training and establish effective policies. (SK)

A survey of the 50 state personnel directors found that (1) their attitudes and actions reflect a concern for social equity issues; (2) 21 were women and 6 African American; (3) they experience similar role conflicts and tensions as federal civil servants; and (4) state personnel systems are addressing equity issues and benefit flexibility. (SK)

Presents several time-effective classroom games that can be used to help students discover the consequences of two important concepts in public finance: the free rider problem and the voting paradox. Maintains that these games encourage student involvement and stimulate class discussion. (DB)

Describes some of the relatively unknown aspects of the concept of public goods and shows how they might be brought into undergraduate textbooks in microeconomic principles, public finance, and welfare economics. Illustrates how these aspects of public goods can be brought into undergraduate instruction. (DB)

Review of case law in educational administration, hospitals, correctional institutions, and the military shows that, when risk of AIDS transmission is high, courts will support public sector administrators' decisions. Low risk means such decisions as mandatory blood testing will usually be struck down. (SK)

Swedish professionals (n=3,595) ranked their perceptions of healthy work. There was a great discrepancy between the ideal and the real for work intellectuality (stimulus, independence, encouragement of innovation and initiative). The value of work showed more congruence between ideal and real. Lowest-ranked aspects were being well paid and having…

Compares approaches and trends in lifelong learning in Britain, Sweden, and Germany. The centrally planned Swedish approach increasingly needs to curb public expenditure. The German experience, an integrated partnership between the state and the private sector, is particularly sensitive to downturns in the economic cycle. The British approach…

Case studies of training brokers who match clients with appropriate training reveal different outcomes for clients of for-profit, market-focused brokers and nonprofit, client-focused brokers. Results suggest the need for public support of training and development of clients as informed consumers of vocational education and training. (Contains 28…

Looks at the current federal job training and workforce development structure and suggests that they have many problems. Also describes reforms passed by several states, notably Texas. Suggests that partnership between public and private sectors is crucial to develop and maintain a system that meets everyone's needs. (JOW)

The development of distance education in Norway has had to bridge the gap between two systems: a large network of public universities and colleges and a small network of public and private agencies that included distance education and adult education organizations. This mixture of public and private sectors has led to new and more hybrid forms of…

Public administrators can deal with unstable nature of demand for information technology workers with (1) flexible and technology-enhanced hiring practices; (2) organization-wide commitment to recruiting; (3) bonuses and innovative awards; (4) professional development opportunities; (5) an innovative work environment; and (6) publicity. (Contains…

Purpose: To explore whether deliberate organisational change of a public sector organisation (a local municipality) would create an avenue for organisational learning. Design/methodology/approach: A case study was set up to study the means by which the organisational change towards a digital administration was to come about. The organisational…

The provision of, and participation in, workplace training and development has received significant recent attention in Australia in the face of rapid technological change, an ageing labour force and a growing skill shortage. Accordingly, many organisations have put in place policies and practices that ostensibly aim to encourage and support…