Monday, June 2, 2008
Introduction
Hello. I’m currently a graduate student in the Master of Public Administration program. I work for a local government agency and have been in this organization for nine years. Prior to this, I worked in the private sector. Within the public sector, I’ve seen how communication differs from that of the private sector. While the constituents of both private and public sectors can be viewed as customers, those of private industry are often shareholders, while those of government are taxpayers. I’ve also learned that, if done effectively, communicating in the public sector allows me to make a difference in people’s lives – something I’m not always successful at, but continually strive for.
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2 comments:
Roy, This class seems to be popular with students in the MPA program. Is there someone recommending it? Several differences, as you've found, between private and public sector organizations. You suggest that customers for government agencies are taxpayers. Who are the "customers" for a university? Is the consumer model a useful one for public sector organizations?
Hi Professor - The chair of the MPA program recommended this course to me. For a university, I would view "customers" to be students, parents, and faculty. In my experience, the consumer model can work for public sector organizations, but only to a certain extent. While it's important to understand what citizens want from their government, because we have a representative form of government, governing bodies decide how best to use tax dollars, and this may not always satisfy these "customers". And the notion of "customers" in government also loses traction when one considers that in the business world, people have choices (e.g., where to dine or buy groceries); the same cannot be said for public sector organizations.
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