Understanding and Managing Public Organizations, 5th Edition

by Hal G Rainey

UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS, FIFTH EDITION “This is the definitive place for all serious students of public administration to start. It is the most comprehensive book in the field. It is required reading for MPA students, Ph.D. students, and all scholars in the field.”
—Kenneth J. Meier, Charles H. Gregory Chair in Liberal Arts, Texas A&M University “This is the bible for public management scholarship. It is the first place to turn when looking for an accessible but rigorous analysis of research on basic aspects of organizational life in the public sector, such as how culture, leadership, and motivation matter. The interdisciplinary array of research on public management has become so voluminous as to seem overwhelming at times. Rainey’s extraordinary curatorial prowess allows him to turn these fragments of work into a coherent and insightful body of knowledge. Anyone interested in how research can inform governance should start with this book.”
—Donald Moynihan, professor of public affairs, Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin—Madison “This is the Encyclopedia Britannica of public management; if you want to find out what has been written, and what is collectively said about the practice and theory of public management, look no further than Rainey’s updated and comprehensive fifth edition.”
—Richard M. Walker, chair professor of public management and associate dean, City University of Hong Kong “For more than a decade, Rainey’s book has been a must-read for everyone in the community of public management in Korea, just like in many places all over the world. Undoubtedly, it provides a valuable resource for researchers and students who are interested in public management and applications of organization theory to public organizations. It is quite simply the best investigation of public organization and management that I’ve read.”
—Young Han Chun, associate dean, Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University

Genres: Nonfiction, Textbooks

592 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 1991

Reviews

[Erin Mclaren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly useful

While some bits did get a little dry, overall Rainey is really informative. We read this text for my masters program, and it was great. The organization of information made sense and helped demystify a lot about public organizations.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned things. Read my term paper for more info

[Breck Wightman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholars aren’t kidding when they refer to this text as the Bible of public administration. Rainey casts a wide net and is able to speak to the many facets of PA in a very manageable way. Favorite quote from the text: “Challenging new ideas requires effective implementation, and in government, implementation requires effective public management.”

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far the most comprehensive review of organizations that is completely dedicated to the public sector. Rainey has included every pertinent theory necessary to gain a solid knowledge base of organizational behavior.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was required for a class, which focused on public organizations more than nonprofits. The class was required for my program, otherwise I would not have chosen it. While I am certain the book is helpful to people working in public organizations, it was not as relevant to me.

[Earl Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Incredibly academic in approach. A resource that will forever be part of my library.