Short essay question – Max. 1,500 words – Answer One of the questions below.
1. What have been the main drivers of change which have led to reform of the way public services are delivered since the late 1970’s?
2. Outline why it is sometimes argued that that the public and private sectors have converged in since 1979 and consider to what extent you agree that this is the case.
3. Why have government attempts to introduce competition in public services been controversial, and to what extent can they be said to have been successful?. Illustrate with particular reference to a public service of your choice.
4. What factors have led to calls for public services to have a more strategic outlook, and what difficulties remain for public managers trying to do so?
5. How does government attempt to manage the performance of public services, and what issues are raised? Use one main public service to illustrate your answer.
6. Why is it argued that public services need to be more innovative? Give examples of the innovative practices and discuss the issues which are raised. (You may choose to focus on innovation generally, digital innovation, or co-production here)
7. Why is social capital seen to be important for economic and social well-being? How might a government attempt to enhance it?

Key Resources to Support Learning

Core Text: Flynn, N (2012, 6th edition) (the 5th Edition, 2007, is also very useful) Public Sector Management, London: Sage
Hughes OE, (2012, 4th ed), Public Management and Administration: An Introduction, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan (Note: earlier Editions of this book is also useful for topics in the early part of the module).
Bovaird, T and Loffler, E (2009, 2nd Ed) Public Management and Governance, London: Routledge
Ferlie E, Lynn L, Pollitt C (eds) (2005) The Oxford Handbook of Public Management, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Smith, MJ and Richards, D (2002) Governance and Public Policy in the UK (Oxford: Oxford University Press)- Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7
Barr, N (2012) (5th Ed) The Economics of the Welfare State (Oxford: Oxford University Press)- Ch. 2 and Ch. 3.4- 3.7.
Hood, C (1991) ‘A Public Management for all seasons?’ Public Administration 69 1991: 3-19
Levy, R (2010) New Public Management end of an Era? Public Policy and Administration Vol. 25 no. 2 234-240

McKinsey- Centre for Government- especially for ‘Government Designed for New Times’ www.mckinsey.com/client_service/public_sector/mckinsey_center_for_government
Osborne, S (2002) ‘From Public Administration to Public Governance: Public Management and Public Services in the Twenty-First Century’ in McLaughlin, K, Osborne, SP and Ferlie, E (Eds) The New Public Management: Current Trends and Future Prospects (London: Routledge)
2020 Public Services Trust (2010) A Brief History of Public Services Reform; also Drivers for Change available on-line from their web-site https://www.2020publicservicestrust.org/page.asp-p=3131.html

Kings Fund- Time to think differently – a very useful resource to be found at https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/time-to-think-differently – see especially Future Trends and the Future Trends Timeline; also the Time for Change slidepack at https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/time-to-think-differently/audio-video/case-change-slide-pack

For International perspectives
Hughes-Ch.14
OECD- on the OECD website there are a number of useful resources including country- by country profiles of spending on public services and related data- see
https://www.oecd.org/gov/governmentataglance2011.htm
Public Services International Research Unit at https://www.psiru.org/about-us
World Bank- a variety of sources – International perspectives- on https://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/category/tags/public-sector-management; in particular
https://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/30-years-of-public-management-reforms-has-there-been-a-pattern

Hodge, G, Greve, C and Boardman AE (2010) International Handbook on public-private partnerships Cheltenham: Edward Elgar (this is available also as an e-book via the library).
Miles, E and Trott, W (2011) Collaborative Working -Available from the Institute for Government web-site at https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA – SHORT ESSAY
Content (85% of mark)

Has the question been answered? Is the essay focussed on the question and not the topic generally? Is it too descriptive?

Is there a clear introduction?

Is there a logically developed argument?

Is there a clear conclusion?

Has there evidence of appropriate reading?

Is the issue/question set in the appropriate theoretical context?

Is there an understanding of relevant concepts/ issues?

Was the factual material accurate?

Academic techniques (15% of essay mark)
1. Is the essay properly sourced and referenced?

2. Is there a comprehensive and properly referenced bibliography