This article addresses current practices and future needs in education in computing in graduate-level programs in public administration and affairs. Based on a survey of MPA-granting institutions, it shows that most public administration programs have incorporated computing applications into curricula beyond conventional courses in statistics and research methodology. To meet the needs of future public managers for computing skills, however, further enhancement of curricula will prove necessary. For this purpose, the article identifies a potential curriculum in computing in public administration. The curriculum is tailored to the distinctive demands and challenges of the public sector environment.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AttewellP., & RuleJ. (1984). Computing and organizations: What we know and what we don't know.Communications of the ACM27: 1184–93.
2.
BerginT. J. (1987). 1986 survey on computers in public affairs and administration. Paper presented at the 10th Annual Conference on Teaching Public Administration, Washington, DC.
3.
BerginT. (1987). Curriculum considerations for information systems programs in the social sciences.Social Science Microcomputer Review5: 39–51.
4.
BozemanB., & BretschneiderS. (1986). Public management systems: Theory and prescription.Public Administration Review46: 475–87.
5.
BretschneiderS. (1985). Teaching computer technology for information management in schools of public affairs and administration.Social Science Microcomputer Review1: 93–102.
6.
BretschneiderS., & WittmerD. (1991). Organizational adoption of microcomputer technology: The role of sector. Paper presented at the National Public Management Research Conference, Syracuse University, New York.
7.
BrudneyJ. L., HyR. J., & WaughW. (1990). Building microcomputing skills in public administration graduate education: An assessment of MPA programs. Paper presented at the 1990 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Public Administration.
8.
CaudleS., & MarchandD. A., with BretschneiderS., FletcherP. T., & ThurmaierK. M. (1989). Managing information resources: New directions in state government.School of Information Systems, Syracuse University.
9.
ClearyR. (1990). What do public administration master's programs look like? Do they do what is needed?Public Administration Review50: 663–73.
10.
ConnollyF. W., & BerginT. J. (1989). What do you teach policy studies educators about computers?Policy Studies Review8: 859–64.
11.
DeskyJ. (1991). Government information and privacy.PA Times14: 1.
12.
GarsonG. D. (1989). Computer-related research and instruction for MPA programs in the 1990s.New Directions in Public Administration Research2: 1–13.
13.
HyR. J., WaughW., & BrudneyJ. L. (In press). An assessment of institutional arrangement and microcomputer skills and competencies in public administration graduate education.International Journal of Public Administration.
14.
KeenP. G. W. (1991). Shaping the Future.Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
15.
KielD. L. (1986). Information systems education in master's programs in public affairs and administration.Public Administration Review46: 590–94.
16.
KraemerK. L., BerginT., BretschneiderS., DuncanG., FossT., GorrW., NorthropA., RubinB., & WishN. B. (1986). Curriculum recommendations for public management education in computing.Public Administration Review46: 595–602.
17.
KraemerK. L., & KingJ. L. (1986). Computing and public organizations.Public Administration Review46: 488–96.
18.
KraemerK. L., & NorthropA. (1989). Curriculum recommendations for public management education in computing: An update.Public Administration Review49: 447–53.
19.
MansourA., & WatsonH. (1980). The determinants of computer information system performance.Academy of Management Journal23: 521–33.
20.
MarkusM. L., & RobeyD. (1988). Information technology and organizational change.Management Science34: 583–98.
21.
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. (1988). Standards for professional master's degree programs in public affairs and administration.Washington, DC: National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
22.
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, Ad Hoc Committee on Computers in Public Management Education. (1986). Curriculum recommendations for public management education in computing.Public Administration Review46: 595–602.
23.
NewcomerK. E., & CaudleS. L. (1991). Public sector information systems.Public Administration Review51: 377–84.
24.
NorrisD. F., & ThompsonL. (1988). Computing in public administration: Practice and education.Social Science Computer Review6: 548–57.
25.
NorthropA., KraemerK. L., DunkleD. E., & KingJ. L. (1990). Payoffs from computerization: Lessons over time.Public Administration Review50: 505–14.
26.
RaymondL. (1990). Organizational context and information systems success: A contingency approach.Journal of Management Information Systems6: 5–20.
27.
RobeyD. (1987). Implementation and the organizational impacts of information systems.Interfaces17(3): 72–84.
28.
WaughW. L.Jr., HyR. J., & NelsonP. B. (1985). Microcomputers in public administration education.Management Science and Policy Analysis Journal2: 9–19.
