Understanding Public Services
A Contemporary Introduction
Edited by E.K. Sarter and Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey
Published
Feb 28, 2023Page count
196 pagesISBN
978-1447364009Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 28, 2023Page count
196 pagesISBN
978-1447363996Dimensions
244 x 170 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 28, 2023Page count
196 pagesISBN
978-1447364016Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 28, 2023Page count
196 pagesISBN
978-1447364016Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy Press
Understanding Public Services
On the blog:
How can public services face a changing world?
Dive inside this textbook for an accessible guide to the discipline of public services.
Perfect for students, it offers a comprehensive account of core public service topics and explains the fundamental elements of working in the public services. Outlining their role in the welfare state, it explores the policies, providers and legalities shaping the context in which public services operate.
Students will study concepts of organisational change, strategy, management, leadership and funding, and engage with timely discussions around contemporary public issues such as equality, sustainability and climate change. Key features to support student learning include:
•objectives at the beginning of each chapter;
•case studies and examples;
•end of chapter summaries;
•reflective questions;
•further reading recommendations and resources.
Bringing together authors with expertise in politics and public policy, social policy and law, this book is essential reading for everybody studying public services.
“A thoughtfully compiled introduction that provides a comprehensive, current and fresh account of public services. An indispensable guide to public services.” Matthias Freise, University of Münster
"This book provides a valuable introduction to the field of public services and social policy in the UK for (international) students, practitioners and policy makers." Andrea Walter, University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration in North Rhine-Westphalia
E.K. Sarter is Research Fellow at the Institute for Employment Research at the University of Warwick and was previously Senior Lecturer for Social Policy and Public Service Management at the University of South Wales.
Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey is Lecturer in Public Policy and Management at the University of York. She previously worked as Lecturer in Public Service Management at the University of South Wales.
Introduction: Defining and understanding public services - Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey and E.K. Sarter
Part 1: Public services and the welfare state
1. Public services and public policies - E.K. Sarter
2. Mixed economy - Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey
3. Public services and the law - Simon Read
Part 2: The internal dynamics of public services
4. Organisations and institutions - Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey
5. Strategy and strategic management - Jennifer Law
6. Leadership and management - David Phillips and Simon Read
Part 3: Achieving social and environmental impact
7. Public services and the challenge of sustainability - E.K. Sarter
8. Public services and equality - E.K. Sarter, Wendy Booth and Vida Greaux
9. Public services and the environmental crisis - E.K. Sarter
10. Adapting organisations: public services, climate change and the energy transition - Filippos Proedrou
Conclusion: Current developments and the future of public services - Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey, E.K. Sarter, Wendy Booth, Vida Greaux, Stuart Jones, Jennifer Law, David Phillips, Filippos Proedrou and Simon Read
