MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND NGO'S
Syllabus
EN
IT
Learning Objectives
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The mission of this course is to explore how the public sphere works, how public decisions are made and which are the main implications for companies and the civil society. By public sphere we mean governments at any level, public sector organizations, international institutions, as well as non-profit and non-governmental organizations.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The course aims at providing both a conceptual overview of issues, but also at providing a glimpse into the practical and concrete difficulties linked to policy development and policy implementation at the social and institutional levels.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- identify the specificities and key problems of public sector organizations, international institutions and non-profit and non-governmental organizations;
- recognize and understand the different types of cross-sectoral interactions and collaborations;
- use the knowledge from the economic and managerial fields to develop ideas for improving the strategy and performance of public sector organizations, international institutions, as well as non-profit and non-governmental organizations.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
Beside lectures, seminars with practitioners, case study discussions and short project works will enable students to identify critical aspects of the subject and propose solutions.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Class participation and presentations, as well as discussion with practitioners, are aimed to enhance students’ communication and dialogue capacities.
LEARNING SKILLS:
Analyzing in a critical way concrete situations and case studies, working in team and managing strict deadlines.
The mission of this course is to explore how the public sphere works, how public decisions are made and which are the main implications for companies and the civil society. By public sphere we mean governments at any level, public sector organizations, international institutions, as well as non-profit and non-governmental organizations.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The course aims at providing both a conceptual overview of issues, but also at providing a glimpse into the practical and concrete difficulties linked to policy development and policy implementation at the social and institutional levels.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- identify the specificities and key problems of public sector organizations, international institutions and non-profit and non-governmental organizations;
- recognize and understand the different types of cross-sectoral interactions and collaborations;
- use the knowledge from the economic and managerial fields to develop ideas for improving the strategy and performance of public sector organizations, international institutions, as well as non-profit and non-governmental organizations.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
Beside lectures, seminars with practitioners, case study discussions and short project works will enable students to identify critical aspects of the subject and propose solutions.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Class participation and presentations, as well as discussion with practitioners, are aimed to enhance students’ communication and dialogue capacities.
LEARNING SKILLS:
Analyzing in a critical way concrete situations and case studies, working in team and managing strict deadlines.
Prerequisites
none
Program
A first part is dedicated to key managerial functions such as strategy, leadership, performance management and impact assessment, organization and HRM.
Issues addressed during the course refer to the way in which globalization and the legitimacy crisis affects structure and purpose of (national and local) governments, international institutions and NGOs, reforms implemented and their impact.
A second part relates to fundamental theories such as Weberianism, New Public Management and Public Governance. Public sector reform models such as the NPM in the late 1980s and PG in the early 1990s that have affected, although with different pace and approaches, almost every country in the world are analyzed. While the latest global (economic and health) crises have highlighted the fact once again that economic performance hinges on an effective public sector, models of reform have changed shifting from market-type mechanisms to networked and participatory approaches. The course examines both the theoretical frameworks underlying public management reforms in the past thirty years and the empirical evidence gathered so far. Emerging issues will also be discussed such as social equity, networks and public-private partnerships, co-production, digital transformation and AI, and open innovation.
A third part will focus on NGOs, analysing the history and typology of civil society organizations and NGOs, regulatory frameworks and governance structures. Special attention will be paid to leadership in values-driven organizations, fundraising strategies (grants, donations, crowdfunding, social enterprise), financial sustainability and diversification of funding sources, management of volunteers, project management, stakeholder management, ethics and accountability, innovation and social impact (SROI, etc.). Key speakers from international NGOs and social enterprises will be invited.
Issues addressed during the course refer to the way in which globalization and the legitimacy crisis affects structure and purpose of (national and local) governments, international institutions and NGOs, reforms implemented and their impact.
A second part relates to fundamental theories such as Weberianism, New Public Management and Public Governance. Public sector reform models such as the NPM in the late 1980s and PG in the early 1990s that have affected, although with different pace and approaches, almost every country in the world are analyzed. While the latest global (economic and health) crises have highlighted the fact once again that economic performance hinges on an effective public sector, models of reform have changed shifting from market-type mechanisms to networked and participatory approaches. The course examines both the theoretical frameworks underlying public management reforms in the past thirty years and the empirical evidence gathered so far. Emerging issues will also be discussed such as social equity, networks and public-private partnerships, co-production, digital transformation and AI, and open innovation.
A third part will focus on NGOs, analysing the history and typology of civil society organizations and NGOs, regulatory frameworks and governance structures. Special attention will be paid to leadership in values-driven organizations, fundraising strategies (grants, donations, crowdfunding, social enterprise), financial sustainability and diversification of funding sources, management of volunteers, project management, stakeholder management, ethics and accountability, innovation and social impact (SROI, etc.). Key speakers from international NGOs and social enterprises will be invited.
Books
Klassen T, Cepiku D., Lah T.J. eds. (2017). Handbook of Global Public Policy & Administration. Routledge (selected chapters).
Bibliography
1. Cepiku Denita, Mastrodascio Marco, Wang Weijie (2024). Factors Shaping the Use of Performance Information by Public Managers. Public Management Review. Volume 28, Issue 1, pp. 158–179. DOI - 10.1080/14719037.2024.2435009.
2. Sarah L. Young, Kimberly K. Wiley & Denita Cepiku (2023) Intersecting public management and social equity, Introduction to the special issue of Public Management Review, Public Management Review, DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2023.2288261.
3. Cepiku D., Marsilio M., Sicilia M., Vainieri M. (2022), A comprehensive framework for the activation, management, and evaluation of Co-production in the public sector, Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 380, Part 2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135056
4. Corvo, Luigi; Pastore, Lavinia; Mastrodascio, Marco; Cepiku, Denita, (2022). Social return on investment model: A systematic literature review. Meditari Accountancy Research. Vol. 30 No. 7, pp. 49-86. DOI: 10.1108/MEDAR-05-2021-1307
5. Cepiku, D., & Mastrodascio, M. (2021). Equity in public services: a systematic literature review. Public Administration Review. Volume 81, Issue 6. November/December.
6. Cepiku D. (2021). Performance management in a networked organization: the OECD. International Journal of Public Sector Management. 34(3), pp. 292-311.
7. Cepiku D., Giordano F., (2022). Economic Crisis and Public Administration. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Public Administration. Oxford University Press. Eds.: B. Guy Peters and Ian Thynne. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.1435. ISBN 9780190854454
8. Cepiku, D., Giordano, F., Mastrodascio, M., & Wang, W. (2020). What drives network effectiveness? A configurational approach. Public Management Review, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2020.1764084
9. Cepiku D., Mastrodascio M. (2019). “Leadership behaviours in local government networks: an empirical replication study”. Public Management Review. DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2019.1679233
10. Cepiku D., Mussari R., Giordano F. (2016), Local Governments Managing Austerity: Approaches, Determinants and Impact. Public Administration. Volume 94, Issue 1, pp. 223-243 doi: 10.1111/padm.12222
11. Cepiku D., Costumato L., Mastrodascio M. (2025). New Public Administration, Equity, Justice, and Representation in Public Service Delivery. In Handbook of Public Service Delivery. Eds. Christopher Reddick and Tansu Demir. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
2. Sarah L. Young, Kimberly K. Wiley & Denita Cepiku (2023) Intersecting public management and social equity, Introduction to the special issue of Public Management Review, Public Management Review, DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2023.2288261.
3. Cepiku D., Marsilio M., Sicilia M., Vainieri M. (2022), A comprehensive framework for the activation, management, and evaluation of Co-production in the public sector, Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 380, Part 2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135056
4. Corvo, Luigi; Pastore, Lavinia; Mastrodascio, Marco; Cepiku, Denita, (2022). Social return on investment model: A systematic literature review. Meditari Accountancy Research. Vol. 30 No. 7, pp. 49-86. DOI: 10.1108/MEDAR-05-2021-1307
5. Cepiku, D., & Mastrodascio, M. (2021). Equity in public services: a systematic literature review. Public Administration Review. Volume 81, Issue 6. November/December.
6. Cepiku D. (2021). Performance management in a networked organization: the OECD. International Journal of Public Sector Management. 34(3), pp. 292-311.
7. Cepiku D., Giordano F., (2022). Economic Crisis and Public Administration. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Public Administration. Oxford University Press. Eds.: B. Guy Peters and Ian Thynne. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.1435. ISBN 9780190854454
8. Cepiku, D., Giordano, F., Mastrodascio, M., & Wang, W. (2020). What drives network effectiveness? A configurational approach. Public Management Review, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2020.1764084
9. Cepiku D., Mastrodascio M. (2019). “Leadership behaviours in local government networks: an empirical replication study”. Public Management Review. DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2019.1679233
10. Cepiku D., Mussari R., Giordano F. (2016), Local Governments Managing Austerity: Approaches, Determinants and Impact. Public Administration. Volume 94, Issue 1, pp. 223-243 doi: 10.1111/padm.12222
11. Cepiku D., Costumato L., Mastrodascio M. (2025). New Public Administration, Equity, Justice, and Representation in Public Service Delivery. In Handbook of Public Service Delivery. Eds. Christopher Reddick and Tansu Demir. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
Teaching methods
- Lectures and seminars.
- Case study discussions.
- Group essays.
- Case study discussions.
- Group essays.
Exam Rules
The exam will consist in a written test, also based in the evaluation of non-compulsory group assignments.
The exam will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Not suitable: important deficiencies and / or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis, frequent generalizations and limited critical and judgment skills, the arguments are presented in an inconsistent way and with inappropriate language;
18-20: just sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible generalizations and imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the topics are frequently exposed in an inconsistent way and with inappropriate / technical language;
21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; Ability to correct analysis and synthesis with sufficiently coherent logical argument and appropriate / technical language;
24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; good analysis and synthesis skills with rigorously expressed arguments but with a language that is not always appropriate / technical;
27-29: Complete knowledge and understanding of the topics; remarkable abilities of analysis and synthesis. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics exposed rigorously and with appropriate / technical language;
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and in-depth understanding of the topics. Excellent skills of analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgment. Arguments expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.
The exam will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Not suitable: important deficiencies and / or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis, frequent generalizations and limited critical and judgment skills, the arguments are presented in an inconsistent way and with inappropriate language;
18-20: just sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible generalizations and imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the topics are frequently exposed in an inconsistent way and with inappropriate / technical language;
21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; Ability to correct analysis and synthesis with sufficiently coherent logical argument and appropriate / technical language;
24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; good analysis and synthesis skills with rigorously expressed arguments but with a language that is not always appropriate / technical;
27-29: Complete knowledge and understanding of the topics; remarkable abilities of analysis and synthesis. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics exposed rigorously and with appropriate / technical language;
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and in-depth understanding of the topics. Excellent skills of analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgment. Arguments expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.
Attendance Rules
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.