Discuss how theories of organizational culture can illuminate the Essay

Discuss how theories of organizational culture can illuminate the practice of public sector management. You may use a particular - Essay Example Development of ‘strong’ culture within an organization has become increasingly popular among governments across the world. This paper highlights the attributes of public sector management, organizational politics and strategic management with respect to organizational culture. Furthermore, this paper also examines the theory of organizational change as well as the aspects that bring about effective and enduring change in public sector organizations. Public Sector Management Private and public are the two sectors of economy. While the former deals with private and non- governmental association, the latter refers to government and a mixture of various departments and associations. From managerial point of view, the private sector and the public sector have numerous differences between them. In the twenty- first century, the public sector has experienced a huge growth and development. The traditional model for public sector management was supported bureaucratic practices. E ven- distribution of labor, hierarchy, merit- based employment decision, impersonal work relationships are a few characteristics of this traditional model. However, in modern times, the public sector has been facing challenges as far as management is concerned. This has been the reason for incompetence of public sector when it comes to delivery of public services. Some of the chief reasons why public sector is lagging behind in Australia are- failure of traditional bureaucratic management in a market in relation to non- excludability and non- rival consumption, information imperfections, uneven distribution of resource and wealth, etc. (Aulich, Halligan and Nutley 2001, p. 1- 4) As a matter of fact, the public sector has experienced several economic restructuring. This change was brought about by transformation of administration into management. That is to say, the traditional model that had long been used in public sector got replaced by effective and modernized approach. According to new model, rational economic forces became the chief determinant behind institutional decision- making, dynamics and politics. Much of these reforms were due to bringing in of choice, competition and above all market orientation. All these changes have resulted in remodeling of delivery structure, thus including â€Å"contract agencies, board, voluntary agencies, and the residual public sector†. Therefore, management of public sector has evolved to adopt the entrepreneurial and discretionary style. (Bishop, et al. 2003, p. 4- 5) The public sector has certain characteristic features. Firstly, unlike the private sector, the public sector is led by persons elected by common vote, by following the democratic principles. Secondly, public sector organizations are generally multifunctional. This generates scope for political intervention. Thirdly, though the decision making process is thoroughly influenced by cultural perspective, but is mostly unaffected by shifting demands, an d hence becomes more vulnerable to criticisms. At the same time public sector suffers from conflicting goals, income and profit distribution, etc. (Christensen et. al. 2007, p. 6- 10) Organizational Culture The term ‘organizational culture’ refers to those informal norms and values that become associated with regular business activities. Organizational values are adopted in