(IGNOU) MPA-013 Important Questions with Answers – (IGNOU) MPA-013 refers to the course Public Systems Management offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) as part of its Master of Arts (Public Administration) program.
- Course code: MPA-013
- Course name: Public Systems Management
- Program: Master of Arts (Public Administration)
- Level: Postgraduate
Course Content
- Theoretical foundations of public systems management
- Public policy formulation and implementation
- Bureaucracy and its role in public administration
- ICT enabled initiatives in public systems management
- Citizen participation and governance
- Performance measurement and evaluation of public systems
- Challenges and prospects of public systems management in India
1. Prepare a brief note explaining the changes that have taken place in the west during 1980’s and their impact on the discipline of public administration.
MPA-013 Important Questions with Answers – The 1980s marked a significant period of change in the Western world, particularly in the political and economic spheres. These changes had a profound impact on the discipline of public administration.
Rise of Neoliberalism
MPA-013 Important Questions with Answers – The 1980s witnessed a shift towards neoliberal economic policies, characterized by free-market principles, reduced government intervention, and a focus on deregulation. This had a direct impact on public administration as governments sought to streamline and downsize bureaucracies.
Privatization
Governments in the West increasingly turned to privatization as a means to improve efficiency and reduce the size of the public sector. This involved transferring government functions and services to the private sector, leading to a reevaluation of the role of public administrators.
New Public Management (NPM)
The NPM paradigm emerged as a response to the perceived inefficiencies of traditional bureaucratic models. It emphasized performance-based management, decentralization, and a market-oriented approach to public service delivery. Public administrators were now expected to adopt business-like practices and focus on outcomes.
Decentralization
There was a trend towards decentralization of government functions, devolving power and decision-making authority to lower levels of government. This shift aimed to increase responsiveness and adaptability in public administration.
Technological Advances
The 1980s saw the widespread adoption of computer technology, leading to increased automation and changes in the way public administration operated. E-government initiatives began to take shape, altering the nature of communication, service delivery, and data management within the public sector.
Globalization
The era saw increased globalization, with economic and political boundaries becoming more porous. Public administrators had to adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by a more interconnected world, dealing with issues that transcended national borders.
Budget Constraints
MPA-013 Important Questions with Answers English Medium- Economic challenges, including recessions in some Western countries during the 1980s, led to budget constraints. Public administrators faced the task of doing more with fewer resources, requiring innovative approaches to service delivery.
Public administration began to place greater emphasis on measuring and evaluating performance. The use of performance indicators and outcome-based evaluation became more prevalent, reflecting a broader societal demand for accountability.
2. Write a note on structural adjustment initiatives undertaken in any one of the countries of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) or any developing country and assess their influence over its administrative system
3. Select any one of the government department or public organisation managed by central or state government and prepare a report on the new process, methods and practices initiated after 1990 to deliver public services. The report also can cover perceptions of functionaries and clientele on reform initiatives undertaken in the department organisation.
4. Conduct a survey to examine the perceptions of general public on administrative reforms initiated by the central or state governments after 1990s. The study specifically should cover the government policies pertaining to disinvestment, reduction of subsides, imposing user charges and attitude of the public bureaucracy etc.
5. Undertake a case study on any one of the Constitutional bodies or institutions to evaluate its activities. For the purpose of study, collect the relevant information from the sources of books, news papers, magazines, articles published in various journals, reports if any, about the structure, composition, powers, functions, role and evaluation of a particular institution or body. Suggest measures to strengthen the institution.
6. Prepare a brief report on any one of the National Commissions on Women / Backward Classes /Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes etc, pertaining to its need, origin, structure, composition, powers and functions etc. The report also should analyse the role as a special agency how it is contributing for the development of target group.
7. Identify Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) existing in your area and prepare a brief report on any one of the NGOs. The report should explain its origin, goals and objectives, role and activities undertaken in implementing developmental programmes.
8. Ascertain information from your academic counsellor pertaining to regulatory bodies /authorities established in different sectors and prepare a brief report on one of the regulatory bodies. The report need to express its structure, objectives, functions and perceptions of people on its relevance and functioning.
9. Select any one of the public offices like post office, bank, MRO office, municipal office or any other offices of state, central, autonomous institutions having more than 25 employees and collect information about social background of the employees – religion, caste composition, family background, gender composition etc. The empirical study should analyse the social dynamics of administrative system of a public office.
10. Select any one of the developmental works or any other works in your area performing under public-private partnership or contracting out for empirical study. The study should analyse the various facets of its working and also ascertain public perception on its performance
11. Select any one of the public organisations and analyse the effectiveness of new technological applications adopted by it in dissemination of information to citizens and also the effectiveness of public service delivery.
12. Prepare a report on a government department which is using website as an information device. The study can cover public perceptions about the service.
13. On the basis of media reports, make your observations regarding the relationship between bureaucracy and political executive in the current scenario.
14. Attempt to talk to the locally elected political representatives and elicit their views on this aspect.
15. Go through the newspapers and journals and make a note of conferences held in recent times such as Governors’, Chief Ministers’ etc and prepare a brief note on the issues deliberated in the conferences.
16. Based on information available on website, or newspapers, highlight the role and functions of the Finance Commission.
17. Examine the highlights of the current year’s Budget.
18. Based on newspaper reports, attempt to follow the various stages of the legislation of budget in the Parliament and record your observations.
19. Visit any manufacturing unit in your area and discuss the various steps involved in movement of the manufactured goods from that unit till the retail market.
20. Approach any hospital or a school dispensary or any other agency (public or private) and examine the methods of inventory control adopted by it.