Public Service Innovations and Changing Ethos in Africa
One of the widely held beliefs in public management is that strict commitment to an ideology of public service values, which is a critical factor in the delivery of public services. However, with the introduction of market-oriented reforms-innovations, most of these values face severe and serious ch...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2014-12-01
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| Series: | Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.apsdpr.org/index.php/apsdpr/article/view/67 |
| _version_ | 1828770528381370368 |
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| author | Chukwuemeka Okafor Jacob Olufemi Fatile Ganiyu Layi Ejalonibu |
| author_facet | Chukwuemeka Okafor Jacob Olufemi Fatile Ganiyu Layi Ejalonibu |
| author_sort | Chukwuemeka Okafor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | One of the widely held beliefs in public management is that strict commitment to an ideology of public service values, which is a critical factor in the delivery of public services. However, with the introduction of market-oriented reforms-innovations, most of these values face severe and serious challenges. This study, using a comparative and analytical method, examines the principles which underpin the African governments’ program of innovation in public service delivery and in particular the traditional public service ethos. The article reveals that over the years, African public services and those who work in them fall short of the ideal leading to the attempt to innovate by introducing the market values which have equally raised questions about possible threats to the ethos. After identifying some challenges that innovation may pose, the article suggests that traditional public sector ethos should be redefined to allow for innovative ideas in service delivery. Finally, the study concludes that a new “synthesized” ethos that draws on the core elements of bureaucratic principles as well as market based values, would deliver superior public services. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T14:08:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-30d3b2d60305489c8ce21c5225a14f37 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2310-2195 2310-2152 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T14:08:42Z |
| publishDate | 2014-12-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review |
| spelling | doaj.art-30d3b2d60305489c8ce21c5225a14f372022-12-22T01:03:32ZengAOSISAfrica’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review2310-21952310-21522014-12-0124467110.4102/apsdpr.v2i4.6766Public Service Innovations and Changing Ethos in AfricaChukwuemeka Okafor0Jacob Olufemi Fatile1Ganiyu Layi Ejalonibu2University of Fort HareLagos State UniversityLagos State UniversityOne of the widely held beliefs in public management is that strict commitment to an ideology of public service values, which is a critical factor in the delivery of public services. However, with the introduction of market-oriented reforms-innovations, most of these values face severe and serious challenges. This study, using a comparative and analytical method, examines the principles which underpin the African governments’ program of innovation in public service delivery and in particular the traditional public service ethos. The article reveals that over the years, African public services and those who work in them fall short of the ideal leading to the attempt to innovate by introducing the market values which have equally raised questions about possible threats to the ethos. After identifying some challenges that innovation may pose, the article suggests that traditional public sector ethos should be redefined to allow for innovative ideas in service delivery. Finally, the study concludes that a new “synthesized” ethos that draws on the core elements of bureaucratic principles as well as market based values, would deliver superior public services.http://www.apsdpr.org/index.php/apsdpr/article/view/67Public ServicePublic Service DeliveryInnovationPublic Service EthosMarket values |
| spellingShingle | Chukwuemeka Okafor Jacob Olufemi Fatile Ganiyu Layi Ejalonibu Public Service Innovations and Changing Ethos in Africa Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review Public Service Public Service Delivery Innovation Public Service Ethos Market values |
| title | Public Service Innovations and Changing Ethos in Africa |
| title_full | Public Service Innovations and Changing Ethos in Africa |
| title_fullStr | Public Service Innovations and Changing Ethos in Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Public Service Innovations and Changing Ethos in Africa |
| title_short | Public Service Innovations and Changing Ethos in Africa |
| title_sort | public service innovations and changing ethos in africa |
| topic | Public Service Public Service Delivery Innovation Public Service Ethos Market values |
| url | http://www.apsdpr.org/index.php/apsdpr/article/view/67 |
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