Complexity Theory in Public Management - Essay Example

Complexity Theory in Public Management Theoretical frameworks that exist in public services and management have failed to address chaos, and unpredictability in public management. Despite their efforts to eliminate this by increasing measurable performance, reliance objectives, management of human resources, improved financial techniques, authority and accountability decentralization and resolving pathologies of principal-agent behavior success in their management has not yet been realized (Weber, 2008). All these attempts are aimed at improving the steering capacity in public management, policy makers and managers. Adoption of complex adaptive system approach in public management policy makers and managers in public institutions may be able to offer effective public services provision and decision making. Unfortunately, complexity theory has little been used in public management. In other social sciences, for example economics, evolutionary approach has widely been used instead of complexity theory. The question on whether complexity theory can increase our understanding of the phenomena of public management is intriguing. Weber (2008) says that the public sector has largely been ignored because of its stale and impractical ideas which are only based on the understanding of its existence. Public management has in the recent past crumbled and therefore, its time to replace its proliferation of frameworks, theories and concepts (Weber, 2008). Because of complexities in public management theories, public management has split into many sub-strands, like sociologists, political scientists, economists, and management theorists, who are developing alternative theories that try to explain management in the public sector. Complexity theory and problem resolution Complexity theory helps to address problems of decision making and service delivery in public management. The greatest problem with management of the public sector is centered on its inability to make sound and wise decisions. Wrong decisions lead into heavy losses, thus making this sector very unproductive. However, complexity theory effectively addresses this issue and helps managers making sound decisions. Consequently, the public is able to access good service delivery from the public sector. Complexity theory has all potentials of addressing the challenges in public policy and management that practitioners face. They are also important in weaving many theoretical strands in management of public sectors into a seamless whole. Early works that have tried to connect public management with complexity theory related concepts wasted by great scholars like Douglas Kiel and Sam Overman among others (Weber, 2008). Public management policy has recognized limitations that they are prune to due to the complexity and diversity of human nature. Decision making is characterized by both practical and theoretical limitations due to rational; thinking and comprehensive protocols. Complexity theory provides the groundwork within which alternative ways of understanding these rationalist protocols and logistics can be recognized. According to Weber, complexity theories may be the only solution that will help increase theory’s coherence and re-invigoration of the discipline across many perspectives that bear these problems in public management. Complex adaptive system is particularly suggested as an essential way of understanding systems that provide an intellectual framework where fresh understanding of the systems of public management can be observed and sought. The multiplicity, non linear interactions and intensity of complexity theory seems to agree with complex adaptive theory. Though their outcomes are rarely fully predictable, they may not serve their purpose well in public management. Emergent order and self- organization concepts seem like characterizations that are reasonable. Effects of complexity theory on management practices in current systems Complexity theory gives the public sector a big room for improving the understanding of public management and policy development. Central concepts of self organization, emergence and non-linearity and adaptive system offer attractive insights concerning behavior that could address limitations based on administrative logistics and rationality that have greatly guided efforts in the process of inquiry. Complexity theory can be effectively applied in today’s management of public sector in policy analysis and governance systems. Dennard, L., Morçöl, G and Richardson, K.A, 2008). Decision making in the public sector is normally characterized by unforeseen, unattended, persistent and unwanted consequences. The results of these consequences are due to overreliance on control of human assumptions of comprehensive planning capacity and environment, which can be anticipated by application of a different paradigm in the process of decision making in public management. Research by Weber, (2008) assess that program management’s connective capacity from the perspective of self organization continues that public policy implementation theme, by understanding the policy context. Teisman and Klijn, (2008) reviews the conceptualization and management of traditional programs saying that its limitations are as a result of self-organizational perspective. Traditional perspective does not recognize connective capacity in the public management that is so complex. This is shown by insights from dissipative and conservative self-organization that represents a complex system. Teisman, and Klijn, (2008) consider conservancies as different self- organizing components within systems that are metropolitan. In this case, conservatism is viewed as a combination of government, citizens and market networks, working across traditional boundaries of jurisdiction, learning from experiences and expanding individual membership and numbers. Consequently, conservancies are promoted by locally made environmental values. Dennard, Morçöl, and Richardson, (2008) assist the way of thinking in re-conceptualizing the public policy and management in complexity theory perspective. In this essay, he offers the theory of Glidden’s structurization as an important contribution to public management and complexity theory. Assumptions of social causation and reducibility are a major problem to public administration and policy. Concepts of distanciation and structural duality are very useful in addressing the conceptual problems of public policy, due to their dynamic nature in dynamic public policy administration. Constructions of complexity theory in co-evolution, self-organization, dissipative structures and emergence are important references to the policy context’s dynamic nature. Policies that are enacted in governance systems that are complex metropolitan are not tools that assist policy makers, but are system components with their own dynamics. Philosophical connection between public management and complexity theory are well illustrated by Dennard, Morçöl, and Richardson, (2008). He traces complexity theory aspects found in liberal political philosophers’ writings like Immanuel Kant and John Locke. In his findings, he said that liberal political philosophy and complexity theory are compatible in emergent order although they are made from different norms of foundation. This difference is important because the philosophy of liberal politics is an important component of US political and order foundation that impacts the way public administrators are efficient in implementing public policies. Effects of IT on public service management today IT has a significant effect on public management. Introduction of IT in various public sectors has positively transformed public services and management in the public sector (Trochim and Cabrera, 2005). Innovations in modern technology have greatly transformed public sector management into a more efficient and reliable sector. With changes in information technology and adoption of modern technology, the public expects improved services from the public sector. An ethical perspective provides a better understanding of the effects that IT has had in public management. Modern technology has helped in delivery of social justice within national and international public sectors (Trochim and Cabrera, 2005). One effect of information technology in the management of public sector can be realized in ethics in public management. Ethics means custom or character. It conveys moral integrity in the way public managers deliver services to members of the public. Ethics in public management refers to commitment by managers in doing what is good and right. It is therefore linked to enduring beliefs and values that influence the choices that public sector managers have to make from the means and ends that are available. Information technology affects public management in functionality, design, and operations. The functions of the public sector have improved with developments in information technology. They are very fast in service delivery as information stored in company’s data bases can be easily accessed. The work of managers in the public sector has also become easy as storage and accessibility concerning their work is safely stored in their computers (Trochim, and Cabrera, 2005). This improves the way they function. On the other hand, their operations have also been improved. Centralization of all process and functions taking place within a company has made it possible for the senior authorities to access everything happening in the company or institution. This increases accountability among managers, who have to be as efficient as possible. With modern innovations and developments in information technology, managers are now in a better position of applying complexity theory to deal with problems in the public sector. Though it is more complex, complexity theory has all potentials of addressing the challenges in public policy and management that practitioners face when incorporated with modern information technology. As we have seen, the problem in public management is mainly due to conservatism non linearity and connective capacity. Therefore, information technology plays a vital role in eliminating these problems. They are also important in weaving many theoretical strands in management of public sectors into a seamless whole (Trochim, and Cabrera, 2005). It was very hard for the public sector to communicate effectively in the past. However, with adoption of modern information technology, this problem can be completely eliminated, thus making complexity theory a success. With improved communication, services delivered by the public sector will be of high quality. For example, information technology has allowed managers to use tools of communication like mobile phones, face book and twitter among others, which are very efficient. Conclusion The main idea behind the analysis of complexity theory in public management is to determine how complexity theory can effectively inform decision making in public policy and public administration. The central concepts of complex theory that were examined were co-evolution, dissipative structures, connective capacity, non-linearity and self organization, and how they can help and improve our understanding of the evolutionary and dynamic nature of the context of policy, and how policy-makers should consider their emergent and interactive co-evolutionary role in the context of public management. Complexity theories may be the only solution that will help increase theory’s coherence and re-invigoration of the discipline across many perspectives that bear these problems in public management .It was very hard for the public sector to communicate effectively in the past. However, with adoption of modern information technology, this problem can be completely eliminated, thus making complexity theory a success. Incorporating complexity theory with information technology is the most efficient way f solving problems encountered in today’s public management. References Dennard, L., Morçöl, G and Richardson, K.A. (2008). Complexity and Policy Analysis: Tools and Methods for Designing Robust Policies in a Complex World. Princeton NJ; Princeton Publishers. Teisman, G.R. and Klijn, E.-H. (2008). “Complexity Theory and Public Management: An Introduction to Public Management Review, ISSN 1471-9037,10(3): 287-297. Trochim, W.M.K. and Cabrera, D. (2005). Information Technology and Public Management. Chicago, Chicago University Press., 7(1): 2-10. Weber, J.E. (2008) “Symposium: Complexity of Public Policy and Public Administration,” Public Administration Quarterly. Washington DC; Harvard University Press. Read More