Understanding and Managing Public Organizations

by Hal G. Rainey

This book offers a comprehensive integration of research on management and organizations, along with numerous real-life vignettes and examples, to provide an authoritative view of the key issues facing public organizations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Textbooks

337 pages, Hardcover

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.

[Elysa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for my graduate program. Rainey's theories were great supplements to the primary organizational theories in my classes.

[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.