ADEKUNLE AJASIN UNIVERSITY

AKUNGBA, AKOKO. ONDO STATE

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

NAME: AYERIN NATHANIEL OPEYEMI

DEPARTMENT: POLITICAL SCIENCE
MATRIC NO: 220503144
LEVEL: 200L
COURSE: POS 205(INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION)

LECTURER IN CHARGE: DR. IJIMAKINWA

 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
Assignment

1. There is no doubt that Nigeria today, the activities of government are many and
varied. They range from provision of social services to governance. Infact in Nigeria
government involved either directly or indirectly in every sphere of human activity.
The scope of public administration can be considered by looking at the functions of
administrator. Scholars like Lyndal Urwick, Henry Fayol, Mooney, Luther and others
in what is now popularly refered to as POSDCORBM( Planning. Organising. Staffing,
Directing, coordinating, Reporting, Budgeting and Mutivating ) advanced this
opinion. This school of thought believes that the scope of the subject matter
POSDCORBM identified two points of view which the scope of public administration
can be considered.

The scope of public administration, as highlighted by scholars like Lyndal Urwick,

Henry Fayol, Mooney, Luther, and others, is often conceptualized through the
framework of POSDCORBM: Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating,
Reporting, Budgeting, and Motivating. These components provide a comprehensive
understanding of the functions and responsibilities of administrators within the public
sector. Let's explore these components in more detail:

 Planning: This involves setting goals, objectives, and strategies to achieve desired
outcomes. Planning in public administration includes long-term strategic planning,
as well as short-term operational planning to address immediate needs and
challenges.

 Organizing: Organizing refers to the structuring of resources, personnel, and

processes to facilitate the efficient and effective implementation of plans. This
includes designing organizational structures, defining roles and responsibilities,
and establishing communication channels within government agencies.

 Staffing: Staffing involves recruiting, selecting, training, and developing

personnel to fill positions within the public sector. It also includes workforce
planning, performance management, and ensuring a diverse and qualified
workforce to meet organizational goals.
 Directing: Directing entails providing leadership, guidance, and supervision to
employees to ensure that they perform their duties effectively. It involves
motivating, delegating authority, resolving conflicts, and fostering a positive work
environment.

 Coordinating: Coordinating involves harmonizing the efforts of different

individuals, departments, and agencies to achieve common goals. This includes
facilitating collaboration, communication, and integration of activities across
organizational boundaries.

 Reporting: Reporting involves the collection, analysis, and dissemination of

information to stakeholders, both internal and external. This includes preparing
and presenting reports on organizational performance, financial status, and
compliance with regulations.

 Budgeting: Budgeting entails the allocation and management of financial

resources to support organizational objectives. It involves preparing budgets,
monitoring expenditures, and making financial decisions to optimize resource
utilization.

 Motivating: Motivating involves inspiring and incentivizing employees to

achieve their full potential and contribute to organizational success. This includes
recognizing and rewarding performance, providing opportunities for professional
development, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
These components provide a framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of
public administration and the diverse responsibilities of administrators within
government agencies. By addressing each element of POSDCORBM, public
administrators can effectively manage resources, implement policies, and deliver
services to meet the needs of citizens and promote the public good.

2. The theory of public administration has generated a lot of controversies thus, given
rise to what can be referred to as the optimistis and the pessimists or The dualist and
the monolist or protagonists and antagonists views. The optimistis believes that there is
a clean clear separation between public administration and private administration.
The pessimists are of the opined that public administration and private administration
are intertwined and intermingled. Discuss

The debate surrounding the theory of public administration has indeed led to various
perspectives, with some scholars advocating for a clear separation between public and
private administration, while others argue for their intertwined nature. Let's delve into
the perspectives of both the optimists and the pessimists:
 Optimists' Perspective (Dualist/Monolist/Protagonists:
1. Clean Separation: Optimists believe that there is a distinct and clear separation
between public administration and private administration. They argue that the two
sectors operate under different goals, principles, and constraints.
2. Distinct Characteristics: According to optimists, public administration is
characterized by its focus on serving the public interest, accountability to citizens,
transparency in decision-making, and adherence to legal and ethical standards. In
contrast, private administration is driven by profit maximization, market
competition, efficiency, and shareholder interests.
3. Different Structures and Processes: Optimists emphasize that public and private
organizations have different structures, governance mechanisms, and
decision-making processes. Public organizations are subject to bureaucratic rules
and regulations, political oversight, and public scrutiny, while private
organizations operate in a more flexible and market-driven environment.

Pessimists' Perspective (Dualist/Monolist/Antagonists):

1. Interconnectedness: Pessimists argue that public administration and private
administration are deeply interconnected and intermingled in practice. They contend
that the boundaries between the two sectors are often blurred, and there is significant
overlap in their functions, activities, and personnel.
2. Public-Private Partnerships: Pessimists point to the increasing prevalence of
public-private partnerships (PPPs) and outsourcing arrangements, where governments
collaborate with private companies to deliver public services. This blurs the lines
between public and private administration, as both sectors work together to achieve
common goals.
3. Cross-Sectoral Movements: Pessimists highlight the movement of personnel, ideas,
and practices between the public and private sectors. They argue that individuals often
transition between public and private organizations, bringing with them experiences,
expertise, and perspectives that bridge the divide between the two sectors.
In summary, while optimists advocate for a clear separation between public and private
administration based on distinct goals, principles, and structures, pessimists emphasize
the interconnectedness and intermingling of the two sectors in practice. The debate
between the two perspectives continues to shape discussions in the field of public
administration, with implications for policy, governance, and organizational
management.