Paradoxes of optimisation in public service management
Purpose - To examine the paradoxes of optimisation in public service management. Design/methodology/approach - Considers the managerial philosophy of target setting as an organisational control and examines its resulting consequences. Findings - That while the temperate use of the philosophy has its place, awareness of its limitations will control the damage done by its uncritical acceptance. Practical implications - By discussing target setting and its susceptibility to a range of difficulties in the public service management raises awareness of its limitations. Originality/value - Considers an important concern about the use of target setting in the public and private domains.
cybernetics optimization techniques public sector organizations