Dubnick, Melvin J. and Barbara S. Romzek, “Accountability and the Centrality of Expectations in American Public Administration.” In RESEARCH IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Volume 2, edited by James L. Perry. Greenwich CT: JAI PRESS, 1993: 37-78.
Abstract: This paper lays the foundations for a middle-range theory of public administration, based on the centrality of expectations and the recognition of individual, organizational, and institutional means of coping with them. The paper explores the relevance and roots of expectations as the central concept in developing such a theory, and presents a brief overview of their sources. A more detailed discussion follows of several key characteristics of expectations and their relation to ongoing issues in the study of American public administration. The primary question in constructing a middle-range theory based on expectations is how they are “handled” at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels. This framework sets the stage for developing testable propositions that address the question and facilitate the theory-building process.
AI-Generated Summary:
The document explores the central role of expectations in public administration, proposing a middle-range theory framework for understanding administrative behavior and accountability.
Theoretical Foundations of Expectations in Public Administration
- Expectations are fundamental in shaping public administrators’ behavior and decision-making processes.
- The concept has been underutilized despite its importance in understanding bureaucratic actions.
- The authors advocate for a middle-range theory based on expectations to explain administrative dynamics.
- Expectations originate from multiple sources, including political, organizational, personal, and environmental factors.
Sources and Formation of Expectations
- Expectations stem from diverse sources such as interest groups, legal mandates, environmental conditions, and personal experiences.
- Social interactions and communication processes are key in forming and communicating expectations.
- Institutional codes and socialization influence how expectations are managed within organizations.
- The ecological perspective categorizes sources into physical, technological, demographic, cultural, economic, governmental, and personal factors.
Characteristics and Dimensions of Expectations
- Expectations vary in number, scope, depth, clarity, diversity, structure, intensity, temporality, tractability, consistency, and interrelatedness.
- The number of expectations can range from few to many, influencing administrative focus.
- Scope refers to how narrowly or broadly expectations define behaviors or priorities.
- Depth indicates the level of specificity or ambiguity in expectations.
- Clarity or translucence affects how easily expectations can be understood and acted upon.
- Expectations can be diverse, covering a wide range of behaviors and values.
- The structure of expectations involves their priority and organization.
- Intensity reflects emotional attachment or urgency associated with expectations.
- Temporality considers expectations’ timing and deadlines.
- Tractability assesses whether expectations are manageable or intractable.
- Expectation consistency involves their stability over time and across contexts.
- Interrelatedness examines how expectations influence or depend on each other.
Managing Expectations at Different Levels
- Expectations are handled at individual, organizational, and institutional levels.
- Personal expectations are shaped by socialization, training, and experiences.
- Organizational strategies include procedures, policies, and socialization mechanisms.
- Institutional codes and norms provide formal and informal frameworks for expectation management.
- Interaction among these levels influences how expectations are created, communicated, and fulfilled.
Implications for Public Administration Reform
- Recognizing multiple, conflicting expectations challenges traditional reform strategies focused on narrowing expectations.
- Strategies should acknowledge the inherent diversity and manage expectations rather than eliminate them.
- Privatization and decentralization are discussed as approaches to cope with expectations, but their limitations are highlighted.
- Managing expectation structure and intensity is crucial for effective governance and public trust.
- The importance of institutional and organizational strategies in expectation management is emphasized.
The Role of Expectations in Accountability and Policy
- Expectations are central to accountability systems and influence bureaucratic behavior.
- They shape how public administrators respond to political, legal, and societal demands.
- Expectations affect policy implementation, especially in complex, multi-actor environments.
- The communication and communication processes are vital in aligning expectations with organizational goals.
- Expectations also influence public perceptions and legitimacy of government actions.
Developing a Middle-Range Expectations Framework
- The authors propose a flexible, empirically grounded framework for studying expectations.
- The framework emphasizes situational, contextual, and dynamic aspects of expectations.
- It aims to generate testable propositions to explain administrative behavior.
- The approach encourages case studies and comparative analysis to refine understanding.
- The framework seeks to bridge theory and practice by providing practical tools for expectation management.
Opportunities and Challenges in Expectation Management
- Recognizing the diversity of expectations offers opportunities for more adaptive governance.
- Managing conflicting expectations requires strategic organizational and institutional responses.
- The framework suggests that expectation management can improve administrative effectiveness and legitimacy.
- Challenges include dealing with intractable expectations and maintaining consistency.
- Future research should explore how expectations are communicated, negotiated, and enforced across levels.
Conclusion and Future Directions
- Dealing with expectations is central to understanding public administration’s complexity.
- The framework provides a foundation for developing more nuanced, empirically-based theories.
- Emphasizing expectation management can lead to more resilient and responsive public organizations.
- The authors call for further research into the sources, characteristics, and management strategies of expectations.