bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
La grevè de 1976 à I'Office des Nations Unies à Genève et ses conséquences
Authors: Beigbeder Yves 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. The strike by the United Nations personnel in Geneva in February‐March 1976 confirmed the tendency of international civil servants to unionize themselves and to apply collective pressure within a framework which, traditionally, did not lend itself to this type of action.Even though the strikers obtained salary increases for themselves and for their colleagues in other United Nations agencies situated in Geneva (essentially the World Health Organization (who) and the International Labour Office (ilo)), the strike had unfavourable consequences with regard to the international secretariats.Thus the local and international press accused the un‘bureaucrats’ of being too numerous, over‐paid and too political. Some civil servants protested against the over‐militant attitude of their own associations or unions and dissension arose within the Federation of these associations. The salary increases entailed an additional expenditure of 25.3 million for all the organizations involved. This made the who and ilo reduce their staff and drew criticism over staff management at the un from the Joint Inspection Unit (jiu) and several governmental delegations.The negative reaction of who member states to the demands for additional funds, together with an initiative of the ‘77’ group aimed at reducing administrative expenses in order to redirect the organization's resources towards technical cooperation, led to a staff reduction at the who headquarters of some 20 per cent in four years; at the ilo, the staff was reduced by 7.3 per cent in two years.Following the serious criticism by the Joint Inspection Unit concerning the lack of coherence and strictness on the part of the administrations, the General Assembly of the United Nations decided to transfer the responsibility for setting up new salary scales in Geneva from the heads of the Secretariats to the Commission of International Public Service; it also called upon the un Secretary General to speed up the reforms in staff policy and administration.Through its repercussions the 1976 strike brought to light the fragility of international institutions, whose existence is entirely dependent upon the goodwill of member states, as well as the limits of union activities by associations of international civil servants.
Science and technology in the nuclear regulatory process: the case of Canadian uranium miners
Authors: Doern G. Bruce 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. The article examines the role of science and technology in the nuclear regulatory process by focusing on Canadian efforts over the past two decades to regulate the health of Canadian uranium miners. While analysed in the general context of the political economy of the Canadian uranium industry, the article examines in particular a number of aspects of the role of science and technology in the nuclear regulatory process, including Hafele's concept of ‘hypotheticality’, the openness of the regulatory process, the relationships between causal knowledge and political evidence, the relationship between the regulators' research priorities and the lack of applied controls and monitoring technology, the degree of deference paid by domestic regulators to international standard‐setting bodies, and finally the redistributive effects encouraged by a lack of appropriate science and technology priorities.The regulation of the health of Canadian uranium miners has not been an example of regulatory virtue. The excesses of scientific caution shown in the processes of handling causal knowledge and evidence, when combined with the regulators' split personality of being both regulator as well as quasi‐promoter and manager of the nuclear and uranium industry, allowed only the most intermittent attention to be given to uranium workers.
Politiques régionales: traitement du malade ou maladie du guérissaur?
Authors: Migué Jean‐Luc 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. The author develops three main propositions on regional inequalities and related policies. First, regional inequalities of incomes and salaries do not originate from differences in productivity but the other way round. Low productivity results from low wages, which are in turn rooted in conditions of overpopulation in certain areas. As for differences in unemployment levels, they are brought about by government‐determined barriers to the smooth adaptation of labour supply to demand conditions, including minimum wage legislation, union power and job licensing legislated by governments (Rand formula, closed corporations).Second proposition: Regional policies, of which DREE'S activities are only a part, have had minimal effects on the redistribution of investments and employment between the various regions. In addition such poor results as have been achieved represent a heavy burden on taxpayers, as well as on workers through the misallocation of capital.Finally, in addition to being inefficient, policies with strong regional incidences do exert a real wealth transfer effect. This is the basis for their adoption, given the institutional setting in which the public sector operates. The benefits of regional subsidies are concentrated in the hands of a small number of individuals in outlying areas, whereas the burden is thinly & on the whole of the Canadian (or provincial) population. Each beneficiary has more to gain from these measures than each loser stands to lose.
British Columbia's relations with the United States
Authors: Johannson P.R. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. The objective of this study was to develop a profile of the international behaviour of Canadian provincial governments. This was done by studying British Columbia's relations with the United States. The provincial government was divided into three levels of authority (bureaucratic, ministerial and premier), data were gathered in interviews with all departments in the government, and supplemented by five historical case‐studies of intensive relations between b.c. and u.s. governments.Numerical data which were assembled were used to prepare a conceptual framework of provincial international behaviour. This framework revealed that: the Bureaucratic actor is the most actively involved with U.S. governments, a variety of mechanisms are used to conduct relations, the majority of subjects are within provincial jurisdiction, and the principle motivating factor was the perceived interests of the provincial government in a particular situation. A significant finding was that b.c. had deh'berately involved the international sector as a source of leverage over the federal government, although it was noted that the u.s. undoubtedly is a special case for provincial activities.The study concluded that there are extensive international activities by the provinces, and that by their nature, they are likely to expand in the future. This would seem to require improved means of accommodating provincial government interests in the formulation of foreign policies by the federal government.
A theory of bureaucratic authority
Authors: Santos Conrado R. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. There are at least two major streams of thought in the literature on administrative authority: the structuralist Weberian view which conceives of bureaucratic authority as something attributed to an organizational position, and the behaviourist Barnard‐Simon view which considers authority as a particular type of observable interactional relationship between any two individuals within the organizational context.This paper presents and discusses these two views of bureaucratic authority, along with other minor views, and then attempts an axiomatic theoretical definition of authority in the political and bureaucratic realms of life. Bureaucratic authority has been defined as the legitimately established right within the bureaucratic order of the administrative organization to set goals, to formulate policies and decisions, to settle conflicts and, in general, to do other legitimate acts to maintain and enhance the bureaucratic order but within the limits set forth by the sovereign political authority which sanctions and sustains the broader political order in the community or society.
Public administration texts: synthesizing, packaging and groping forward
Authors: Pross A. Paul 
Published: January 2008

Book reviewed in this article: The Craft of Public Administration.
By
george e. berkley. Boston & Toronto: Allyn and Bacon. 1974. Pp. 504. $16.50 (cloth) Dynamics of Public Bureaucracy: An Introduction to Public Administration.
By
fred a. kramer. Cambridge, Mass.: Winthrop. 1977. Pp. 290. $12.00 (paper) Public Administration: A Synthesis.
By
howard e. mccurdy. Manlo Park, Calif.: Cummings. 1977. Pp. 424. $12.95 (cloth) Public Bureaucracies: Values and Perspectives.
By
james a. medeiros
and
david e. schmitt. North Situate, Mass.: Duxbury. 1977. Pp. 183. $4.95 (paper)
L'Etat et ses problèmes d'organisation: la taille ou la ceinture?
Authors: Courville Léon 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. The state has become an economic agency of considerable importance. The reason given for the increasing size of the state is the feeling that the working of free markets leads to disappointing results. However, this view itself is often an illusion, since it is impossible to achieve the operational goals by which private action is judged. At that point the state takes over the allocation of resources, but its intervention also implies an unattainable goal.The state acts without specific rules of behaviour linking the goals of its intervention with the action itself. This often creates a gap between the benefits of the state action and the resources which the so‐called beneficiaries are called upon to contribute. This occurs because, without any control or assessment, the actions depart from their initial goals, either because the would‐be beneficiaries are no longer the ones who in fact benefit, or else because the promises made at the time of the intervention cannot be kept. This problem is illustrated by three examples.The theme of this paper is that the absence of rules of behaviour incites those who subsidize the state to withdraw their participation. The administrative attempts of the ppbs type did not produce good results. In conclusion, the article suggests that legislation which generates a program of activities should include both the evaluation process and a time limit for a legislative review.
Advisory agencies in Canada: an introduction
Authors: Brown‐John C. Lloyd 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. This paper reports the results of a sample survey of the members of 76 Canadian federal and provincial advisory agencies. These agencies serve as as entities wherein the widespread interests of the public on a particular policy issue area may be aggregated. The paper introduces the subject, reviews some of the American experience with such agencies, and introduces findings from this Canadian study both about members' attitudes toward their agency and the work of their agency, and about the members themselves.The study finds that such agencies constitute another level at which interest accommodation occurs. It also suggests that as the level at which advice is rendered increases the belief in the seriousness and importance of the work increases. As for the members, the study concludes that they represent more of an educated elite than perhaps would be assumed to be the case with citizen participatory bodies.The study concludes that advisory agencies seem to have a useful role in the administrative‐policy process, at least insofar as members are concerned. Summary: There would appear to be little doubt that insofar as participants are concerned advisory agencies, appointed with sufficient solemnity and liaising with sufficiently senior policy‐makers, are considered worthwhile components of the policy process, especially where matters of economics are concerned. We shall turn now to the members themselves.
An analysis of the goals of lottery managers: implications for developments in the operation of Canadian lotteries
Authors: Johnson James A. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. Government lotteries were introduced in Canada in 1970 and during the past eight years have increased greatly in number and in size. Lotteries have generated a great deal of public interest but the goals of lottery managers have received little attention. The purposes of this paper are to examine some objectives which could be achieved in the operation of lotteries and to use the results of this analysis, along with the experience of foreign lotteries, to make some tentative predictions about changes in Canadian lotteries over the next five years.The first part of the paper discusses the role of government in lottery operation and argues that government‐run lotteries are preferable to privately run lotteries, even if government‐regulated. The second section of the paper examines various goals which may be important to lottery managers and concludes that revenue maximization is likely to be more important than goals like minimizing the regressivity of a lottery ‘tax’ or achieving the price and output which would occur in pure competition. In the last section, suggestions for increasing lottery revenues are examined and it is judged that more frequent draws, special prizes and increased advertising are more likely to occur than changes in ticket prices, prize structures and payout ratios. Lottery profits could also be increased by eliminating the competition between the federal and provincial offerings and it is likely that further conflicts will be resolved by a joint operation or in favour of the provinces.
Bureaucracy and state intervention: Parkinson's Law?
Authors: Breton Albert , Wintrobe Ronald 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. Parkinson's Law is the popular idea that bureaucrats or administrators are bound to multiply. The basis for the Law was Parkinson's observation that, in some organizations, the number of administrators continued to increase even when the organization, as measured either by its output or the size of its direct labour force, was declining. This paper first considers two popular explanations of this phenomenon: the political monopoly model and the model of bureaucrats as budget maximizers. The authors show that neither of these theories is capable of providing a satisfactory explanation of Parkinson's observations. They then outline a new and more general theory of bureaucracy, in which bureaucrats maximize power, not by maximizing budgets, but by accumulating the loyalty of their subordinates and that of interest groups and the media. The paper then shows that this model does provide a consistent and indeed commonsense explanation of Parkinson's observations. All declining organizations might be expected to become top‐heavy with administrators, as Parkinson predicted, but the process need have nothing to do with bureaucratic expansionism. The paper concludes by stressing the important policy implications of Parkinson's Law for the rational administration of government in an era of declining budgets.Sommaire. Selon une conception populaire, les bureaucrates ou les administrateurs sont régis par la loi de Parkinson: ils tendent à se multiplier. Cette loi découle de l'observation de Parkinson suivant laquelle, dans certaines organisations, le nombre des administrateurs continue à augmenter même lorsque la taille de l'organisation, mesurée par sa production ou par l'importance de sa main‐d'oeuvre directe, diminue. Nous considérons deux explications populaires de ce phénomène: le modèle du monopole politique et celui des bureaucrates maximiscurs de budgets. Nous montrons que ni l'une ni l'autre de ces théories est capable d'expliquer de façon satisfaisante les observations de Parkinson. Nous offrons done une nouvelle théorie, plus générale, de la bureaucratic, d'après laquelle les bureaucrates maximisent le pouvoir et non les budgets, en accumulant la loyauté de leurs subordonnés, celle des groupes impliqués et celle des media. Nous démontrons ensuite que ce modèle fournit une explication cohérente et en fait logique, des observations de Parkinson. Nous nous attendons à ce que toutes les organisations en perte de vitesse aient une quantité disproportionnée d'administrateurs, comme l'a prédit Parkinson, mais ce processus n'a rien à voir avec l'expansionnisme bureaucratique. Nous concluons cet article en insistant sur les conséquences importantes de la loi de Parkinson pour l'administration rationnelle du gouvernement en période de restrictions budgétaires.‘Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.’‐C. N. Parkinson.
Zero‐base budgeting: some lessons from an inconclusive experiment
Authors: Gould Stephen L. , Oldaïl Alan A. , Thompson Fred 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. This paper describes the consequences of an experiment conducted with four governmental programs intended to evaluate the utility of ZBB for improving public sector decision‐making. The results of this experiment were mixed. On the one hand, we clearly observed greater participation by operating managers in the formulation of budgets. This, we were frequently told, had positive consequences for staff development and program planning. The zbb experiment also resulted in the generation of more and better information in support of budget requests. However, information has value only to the extent that it increases the probability that decision makers will choose better options than they would without it. In no case was it possible to identify changes in budget amounts or program content that might not have occurred following standard budgeting practices. We do not believe the absence of fiscal or program impact resulting from this experience is in any way conclusive evidence against zbb, but it should serve as a warning to the unwary or over‐enthusiastic user.Sommaire. Cet article fait état d'une expérience conduite sur quatre programmes gouvernementaux dans le but d'évaluer l'utilité de la méthode zbb comme moyen d'améliorer le processus de décision à l'intérieur du secteur public. Les résultats de l'expérience sont partagés. D'une part, il apparaît évident que cette méthode suscite plus de participation chez les gestionnaires dans la formulation des budgets; cette participation accrue produit — nous a‐t‐on affirméà plusieurs reprises — des effets positifs sur le perfectionnement du personnel et sur la planification des programmes. L'expérience a eu aussi pour effet d'engendrer des informations plus nombreuses et de meilleure qualité aux fins de justification des demands budgétaires. Cependant, l'information n'a de valeur que dans la mesure où elle augmente la probabilité que de meilleurs choix seront effectués. Or, dans aucun cas, il n'a été possible d'identifier des changements dans les budgets alloués ou dans le contenu des programmes qui ne seraient pas survenus avec l'emploi des méthodes traditionnelles de préparation des budgets. Nous ne croyons pas que cette absence d'impact sur la fiscalité ou sur les programmes témoigne de façon concluante contre la méthode du zbb, mais c'est une mise en garde pour ceux qui seraient tentés de surestimer les avantages de cette méthode.
La politique d'acquisition des services de soutien (faire ou faire faire): rétrospective sur le rapport Glassco
Authors: Moran Patrick 
Published: January 2008

Sommaire. Le rapport Glassco recommande qu'un contrôle étroit soit établi sur l'acquisition des services de soutien de façon à privilégier l'option faire faire plutôt que l'option faire. Après avoir rappelé les principaux arguments invoqués pour justifier cette politique, l'auteur examine les nouveaux facteurs surgis durant les quinze années qui se sont écoulées depuis la publication du rapport Glassco, qui exercent une influence sur la politique suivie dans ce domaine. Parmi ces nouveaux facteurs, mentionnons la syndicalisation de la fonction publique, l'accent mis sur la sécurité et la confidentialité de l'information et, enfin, l'élargissement rapide de la nature et de la portée du rôle du gouvernement.Après avoir exposé successivement la situation qui prévaut, à cet égard, aux gouvernements du Québec, de l'Ontario et du Canada, l'auteur conclut que la politique suivie dépend, dans une large mesure, de la conception que se fait chaque gouvernement de son rôle dans l'économie. Ainsi, un gouvernement qui endosse la philosophie sous‐jacente aux recommandations du rapport Glassco, confierait autant que possible les functions de soutien au secteur privé.Abstract. The Glassco Report recommends that tight controls be established over the acquisition of support services in such a way as to give preference to ‘having it done’ over ‘doing it.’ After reviewing the main arguments used to justify this policy, the author examines new factors which have arisen in the fifteen years since the Glassco Report's publication which have a bearing on the policy adopted in this field. Among these new factors mention should be made of the unionization of the public service, the emphasis placed on security and the confidentiality of information and, finally, the rapid expansion of the nature and scope of the role of government.Following an exposition of the current situation in the governments of Quebec, Ontario and Canada, the author concludes that the policy adopted depends, to a great extent, on each government's perception of its role in the economy. Hence, a government which endorses the philosophy implicit in the Glassco recommendations would, as far as possible, place support activities in the hands of the private sector.
Municipal politics and government: development of the field in Canadian political science
Authors: Higgins Donald J.H. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. Following what has become almost a tradition within the Canadian discipline of political science, this paper attempts an analysis of the development of one field in that discipline. In a sense, a main purpose of the paper is to define the boundaries of the field, an exercise which, given the nature of the field, results in a rather personal definition. Two approaches are taken. First there is a review of the Canadian literature since 1886. That review helps identify the more important sub‐fields and analytical approaches. Secondly, the paper reports on a survey of the ways the field is presently taught in Canadian universities and colleges.Assuming that an image of a discipline or of a field is most accurately obtained by examining both writings over time and teaching approaches, the analysis proceeds to identify some of the problems within the field, and offers suggestions for future development of it. The author concludes that because of the highly eclectic nature of the field, in terms of both scope of subject matter and in approaches to analysis, there is a need for more integration among the sub‐fields.
Personnel reorganization in the Canadian public service: some observation on the past
Authors: Love J.D. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. This paper addresses the history of public personnel reorganization of the federal level of government in Canada and focuses on two periods of fundamental change. The first of these periods revolved around the Civil Service Act of 1918 and was associated with the introduction of the merit principle. The second period revolved around the public service legislation in 1967 and was associated with introduction of the principle of collective bargaining. The significance of these two watersheds, and of less important developments in the intervening years, is described.The author concludes that the forces required to bring about another period of fundamental change in public service personnel management are not in evidence and cautions against proposals that would, by diminishing the statutory powers of the Public Service Commission, undermine the merit principle governing public service appointments.