ORGANIZATIONAL DECLINE AND CUTBACK MANAGEMENT (FROM MANAGING THE PRESSURES OF INFLATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1979, BY H JEROME MIRON - SEE NCJ-59239)

• NCJ Number: 59241
• Author(s): C H LEVINE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 10 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. REPRINTED FROM PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW, (1978) EARLIER VERSION OF THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE 1978 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, PHOENIX, ARIZONA, APRIL 12, 1978

Annotation

THE NATURE OF, REASONS FOR, AND POTENTIAL APPROACHES TO MANAGEMENT OF CUTBACKS OF GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND PERSONNEL IN AN ERA OF RESOURCE SCARCITY, ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

IN THE CURRENT SETTING OF RESOURCE SCARCITY AND GROWTH SLOWDOWNS OR DECLINES, MANAGEMENT MUST SEEK TO MAINTAIN CREDIBILITY, CIVILITY, AND CONSENSUS IN ORDER TO MANAGE PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND MAINTAIN THE VIABILITY OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES. CUTBACKS ARE NECESSITATED BY REDUCTIONS IN THE EXTENT OF CERTAIN PROBLEMS DUE TO DEMOGRAPHIC OR OTHER CHANGES, BY EROSION OF THE TAX BASE, BY INFLATION, BY TAXPAYER REVOLTS, AND BY LIMITS TO GROWTH, ESPECIALLY ENERGY RESOURCE GROWTH. CUTBACK MANAGEMENT IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN CONTRACTING A LARGE ORGANIZATION, THE PROBABLE DETERIORATION OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DURING CUTBACKS, THE DEPARTURE OF HIGHLY-SKILLED TECHNICAL STAFF, PERSONNEL'S DENIAL OF OR RESISTANCE TO CUTBACKS IN THEIR DEPARTMENTS, PROBLEMS POSED BY PARTICIPATORY DECISIONMAKING, MANAGEMENT'S INABILITY TO MAKE MULTIYEAR BARGAINS WITH ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS, AND LACK OF FUNDS FOR PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT. DURING PERIODS OF AUSTERITY, MANAGERS MUST DECIDE BETWEEN RESISTING OR SMOOTHING CUTBACKS, MAKING ONE-TIME CUTS OR MULTIPLE MINOR ONES, AND MAKING UNIFORM OR TARGETED CUTS. THEY MUST DETERMINE ALSO WHETHER EFFICIENCY OR EQUITY SHOULD PREDOMINATE. TO PREVENT A DECLINE IN THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE DURING CUTBACKS, MANAGEMENT MUST INFORM AND PREPARE THE PUBLIC, EMPLOYEES, AND CLIENTS FOR THE CUTBACKS. LOCAL OFFICIALS SHOULD ASSUME A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD INNOVATION, TAKE A RATIONAL APPROACH BY PRIORITIZING SERVICES AND PROJECTS, AND ADOPT A MARKETING STRATEGY TO BUILD PUBLIC APPRECIATION FOR THE IMPORTANCE AND QUALITY OF PUBLIC SERVICES. FOR RELATED READINGS IN THE SAME VOLUME, SEE NCJ 59239 AND 59241-59246. (CFW)