Writing what's relevant : workplace incivility in public administration - a wolf in sheep's clothing

Margaret H. (Margaret Heather) Vickers

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Questions surrounding the relevance of what is written about for Public Administration (PA), what should be written, who reads it and what response there might be, are vital. I argue that much of the writing in the PA field ignores many questions of crucial relevance to individuals, groups and organizations, having been overtaken with the vast swathes of management rhetoric that PA scholars and practitioners believe they need. Articles abound about the importance of leadership, change management, teamwork, globalization, and efficiency and effectiveness, while much less is said about the stuff of organizational life that directly affects the lives of both those who work in PA and the people they serve. This article commences with an example of workplace incivility witnessed in a public hospital. I examine, as an example of what should be written about and is not, the problem of workplace incivility in PA (and the wolf it disguises, bullying, aggression and workplace violence). Workplace incivility is an increasing and troubling phenomenon in PA organizations, and one which has the capacity to disguise or trigger more sinister acts.
    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages20
    JournalAdministrative theory & praxis : a journal of dialogue in public administration theory
    Publication statusPublished - 2006

    Keywords

    • Courtesy in the workplace
    • Employee morale
    • Bullying in the workplace
    • Public administration
    • Work environment
    • Australia

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