The Information-Energy Model and Comparative Administration

Abstract

The field of comparative public administration continues to be plagued by self-doubts. Like many of its other macrocosmic theories, Dorsey's Information-Energy model illustrates an overemphasis on comparative "ecology" rather than comparative "anatomy" or "physiology. " Mr. Berenson, author of the previous article, employs a sophisticated technique in testing the model, but the end result is marred by data inadequacies, a failure to deal sufficiently with qualitative aspects, and a distorted portrayal of the model as recursive. The field should now relax its preoccupations with ecological theories and aggregate data technologies and move on to systematic field research in multiple settings.