摘要:

Abstract:“The continuous process of measuring products, services, and practices against the toughest competitors or those companies recognised as industry leaders. (That is)… the search for industry best practices that will lead to superior performance” (Camp 1989. p. 10).“Benchmarking” or the “Search for Industry Best Practices” has been accepted as a useful strategic tool. The move into the public administration arena is more recent. The underlying research in both cases is limited. The paper considers the advantage of benchmarking over business intelligence systems. Also, the government's stance on establishing quality programs and the relationships to benchmarking are considered.The paper is based on research conducted in the public sector in Westem Australia to determine the extent to which benchmarking is used. The results indicate that whilst the concept is being embraced, the full range of benefits that could accrue is as yet not being realised. Indicators as to why this is so

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00248.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:This study explores the views of Victorian Chief Administrators (CAs) about their jobs. CAs report that the environment of administration has changed in three broad areas: greater public expectations, a breakdown of the politics‐administration dichotomy and difficulties reconciling managerial accountability with limited managerial autonomy. In response, CAs describe a distinctive pattern of concerns — with the “what”, “why” and “how” of agency operation. First, they attempt to shape the “what” or the ends and values their agency creates. Second, they act to enhance the “why” or their agency's legitimacy and the support it attracts from constituencies. Third, CAs are concerned with “how” to mobilise organisational resources, particularly by moulding culture towards the agency values they identify. These findings suggest that CAs have devised understandings of their responsibilities which conform more to theoretical conceptions of leadership than either administration or management. The research points to the emergence of a distinctive type o

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00249.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00250.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00251.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:Australian policy on technology in the second half of the twentieth century is examined in the light of the contest between wisdom and folly in government. The cyclic nature of the relation between industrial evolution and technological development is traced back to the beginning of the industrial revolution, and the importance of leading technologies in those cycles is outlined. It is shown that the high technologies play the role of these leading technologies in modern industrial economies, and that governments play a dominant and fundamental role in their development. Australian governments have avoided this role, leading to relative decline in the high technology industries and consequent suppression of the normal cycle of industrial development in this country. By comparison with past follies of other governments in history, it is seen that this may be regarded as folly.

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00252.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:An industry‐specific plan for the heavy engineering industry was introduced by the federal Labor government in 1986. It is an important subject for several reasons. Heavy engineering is a vital industry but receives little publicity. The manner of the plan's introduction is representative of Labor's priorities in its first period of office. The plan's character was exemplary in its forward‐looking emphasis on reconstruction. Finally, the adverse bureaucratic environment in which the plan operated provides salutary lessons for cost‐efficient and workable industry policy in the f

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00253.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:As Australia struggles to become technologically competitive and to raise its productivity to international standards, several reports have suggested that such productivity depends critically on the existence of an appropriately structured and trained engineering workforce. As a result, engineering education at all levels has come under close scrutiny and rapid change in the period 1987–92. The scrutiny has come from governments, industry and from the engineering profession itself. Some of the changes are consequent to wider administrative changes in education; others are inspired by industry training needs; still others have been brought about by the engineering education community in order to attract more high‐quality students. The binary system of higher education has given way to a unified system. The state‐controlled TAFE colleges are being brought under national standards. In engineering education a new three‐year BTech degree is being promoted to fill the gap between two‐year associate diplomas from TAFE colleges and four‐year professional degrees from the universities, because of a serious shortage of para‐professional engineers in Australian industry. Recent reviews and reports on engineering education have called for rapid expansion at all levels and a greater variety of courses. The use of competency standards is spreading from the trade levels into the professions, including engineering, threatening some traditional concepts of university education. The government has funded three Advanced Engineering Centres, modelled on institutes in other countries. Quality in higher education is under discussion, bringing the concepts of total quality management and world‐best practice to teaching in the universities. Continuing professional education is being rapidly expanded by the Institution of Engineers, Australia. Many more women are now entering the engineering profession, attracted by the humanisation of engineering courses. Environmental engineering and combined degree courses are proving very popular. The level of technological awareness is being improved by bringing engineering students to assist in classes in primary and secondary schools. Cooperative education programs between universities and industry are proving attractiv

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00254.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:This paper considers the problems involved in coordinating policy in a federal system. It examines the programs developed to control petrol‐sniffing in South Australian Aboriginal communities and analyses the processes which determined policy outcomes. Both intergovernmental and intragovern‐mental factors are identified as contributing to the failure to achieve coordination. The particular characteristics of Aboriginal Affairs as a concurrent constitutional responsibility combined with its position as a client‐specific portfolio impede efficiency in matters of funding, definition of administrative jurisdiction and political commitment to cooperative a

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00255.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:Since 1981, the financing of the‘ ACT has been subject to five inquiries by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. These inquiries have incorporated the ACT into the fiscal equalisation process between Australian states and territories. and have significantly affected the ACT'S general revenue grants from the commonwealth. The inquiries produced evidence of generous commonwealth funding of the ACT compared with the other states. This funding has given rise to “over‐spending” on service provision by the ACT government. The ACT government is not currently responsible for all identified “over‐spending”. being buffered to some extent by transitional allowances recommended by the Grants Commission. The ACT government is, however, experiencing fiscal stress for the “overspending” for which it is responsible. This stress is expected to increase in the future as the ACT government comes to bear the full burden of all “overspending”. A significant cause of the “over‐spending” identified by the Grants Commission was health services expenditure. This situation has raised a number of interesting questions. Is the “overspending” on health a conscious policy decision to produce a higher quantity/quality combination of health services in the ACT? Or does it represent inefficiency? What policy options are appropriate in view of the “over‐spending” on health? This paper addresses these questions using data from the Grants Commission inquiries and a recently released study of hospital utilisation and costs in Australia. It is concluded that, at least with respect to public hospitals in the ACT. excessive stafting is the primary cause of “over‐spending”. There is little evidence to support an argument that this “over‐spending” is resul

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00256.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1993.tb00257.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY