| CODE | PPL3222 | |||||||||
| TITLE | The Policy Environment | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Public Policy | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This is a multidisciplinary study-unit which analyses different aspects related to policy making and service delivery. The introductory part of this unit will describe the main structures and main stakeholders which form part of the Maltese public administration. PPL3222 examines three main areas from a theoretical and practical point. The issues of human resources, decentralization and political/administrative interface are the three main areas which this unit will discuss. In human resources management the following issues will be analysed from a local and foreign context: • Identification of some of the problems of human resource management in the public sector; • Identification of the major managerial reforms in the public sector and their context; • Application of a good practice model of recruitment and selection within the public service; • Consideration of possible approaches on how to retain staff; • Identification of the problems and advantages associated with individual performance appraisal; • Outlining the basic techniques for managing pay; • Assessing the applicability of rewards rather than pay. The main areas and issues analysed in relation to decentralization and local governance are the following: • Explanation of the various meanings attached to decentralization; • Establishing the reasons for the inevitability of some degree of decentralization; • Identification of potential obstacles to, and problems of decentralization; • Analysing the relationship between decentralization and contemporary public sector reform; • Discussing the question of whether there is convergence or divergence in central-local relations between countries; • Evaluating the role of civil society in decentralization and participation; • Evaluation the main measures introduced in the recent 2009 local councils reform. The issue of political-administrative interface will also be carefully analysed by means of presentations, lectures and possibly speakers who may contribute with their experience in this sensitive relationship. A particular session concerning ethics in the Maltese Public Administration will be delivered since this issue is considered critical in today’s context. Study-Unit Aims: The main aims of this unit are the following: • To give students a clear overview of how the Maltese public service operates from a structural point of view; • To provide insights into the recent legislation which is affecting the Maltese public service; • To discuss in a holistic way issues related to human resources, decentralization and the political/administrative interface; • To provide information in relation to possible future job opportunities for the current public policy students. Learning Outcome: 1. Knowledge and Understanding By the end of the course, the student will be able to: • Comprehend issues in relation to public administration; • Demonstrate an understanding of the main structures and reform within the public service; • Familiarize themselves with possible future work opportunities provided by the public service. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit, the student will be able to: • Improve writing skills; • Analysing of case studies. Readings: A Review of the Reports of the Public Service Reform Commission, Edward Warrington, Biex il-kunsill jagħtik l-aqwa servizz, tiġdid tal-kunsill lokali permezz ta proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni, April 2009 Cachia Zammit Ray, 1992, The Role of Ministers in Implementation Cameron Robert, Politics-administrative interface : the case of the city of Cape Town CAPAM, 2006, Partners in Nation Building (SADC Politicians and Public Servants) Cilia Louis, 2008. Where the buck stops Colling Trevor, 2001, Human Resource Management in the Public Service Duty or Interference?, The Role of Ministers in Administration, Spring 1992, Issue No 1 Institute of Public Policy and Administration Newsletter, August/September 1991, Issue Number 7 Jary Christopher, 2004, Working with Ministers, Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS), UK Mizzi Marlene, 2007, Yes Minister? Pirotta Godfrey A, 1997, The Disciplines of Politics and Public Administration in Malta, University of Malta Polidano Charles, 1998, Why bureaucrats can’t always do what Ministers want, Multiple Accountabilities in Westminister Democracies, Public Policy and Administration Vol 1 (Spring 1998), Pgs 35 – 50 Polidano Charles, 2003, Recruitment and Selection in the Public Service, Managing People in Malta, Baldacchino, Caruana, Grixti (2003) Polidano Charles, The Bureaucrat who fell under a Bus : Ministerial Responsibility, Executive Agencies and the Derek Lewis Affairs in Britain Portelli John, 1992, The Impossibility of Detachment : Assessing the politicization of the Maltese Civil Services Portelli John, Standing Conference of European Public Service Training Agencies, The Impossibility of Detachment : Assessing the Politicisation of the Maltese Civil Service Public Service Week, 1996, Managing for Better Results Spiteri Lino, 2006, Bleeding Health Staff Development Organisation, 1994, The Introduction of Local Government in Malta Standing Conference of European Public Service Training Agencies, The Foundation in Support for Local Democracy Thake Ann Marie, Performance Management in the Public Service Two Years down the road, Evaluating the Implementation of Public Service Reform, Summer 1992 Vassallo J.G, 2007, An issue of ministerial responsibility |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Seminar and Tutorial | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Adrian Dalli |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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