Public organizations matter, now more than ever. Be it hospitals providing us healthcare, schools offering us education, police officers keeping our streets safe, museums safeguarding our cultural heritage, one can provide multiple examples of how public organizations impact our daily lives. But running public organizations is complex and expectations towards these organizations have never been greater — they need to be efficient and effective, provide high-quality and equitable services, and be responsive towards the citizens they serve. Making Public Organizations Work provides a research-based overview of public management activities that help public managers, or people aspiring to become one, reflect on and enhance their performance. It is the go-to book for anyone interested in the practice of running public organizations and centers on managing reforms, performance and values; managing public organizations and networks; and managing street-level bureaucrats, politicians and citizens. Theoretical insights are made concrete through real-life cases from public organizations around the world. ‘I dedicate this book to you, public managers. You have chosen an honorable profession with great responsibility. Public management makes things happen and I hope that this book can support you in contributing to the common good and creating public value. You are needed, now more than ever.’ — bert george — About the author bert george is Professor of Public Management at Ghent University (Belgium). He holds a PhD in Applied Economics and teaches public management to practitioners and students across the globe. He consults for various national governments and international organizations including the OECD, UNICEF and the EU on issues of public management and governance.
