Critical Perspectives on Public Systems Management in India: Through the Lens of District Administration

This book analyses the effectiveness of district administration from critical management perspective. Using classical organizational theory and leadership competency framework, the authors conducted a comparative study of two exemplary districts with distinctive traits in India ─ a rural district in the developed state of Maharashtra and an urban district from the underdeveloped state of Madhya Pradesh. The book delves into the dynamics of district administration by breaking down the processes further and mapping the role of the district magistrates on the UNDP competency framework.

Given the changing scope and challenges of public service, this comparative analysis of the two districts would provide insights into district administration and would be of significant relevance to administrators and management professionals across the globe in assessing their effectiveness.

The book provides an eclectic framework for public administration from an overall sustainability perspective

Amar KJR Nayak is Professor and Chairperson, Centre for Sustainable Ecological Systems, XIM Bhubaneswar. Amar’s research primarily has been towards understanding asymmetries in human actions and the antecedent issues of control and freedom. Amar adopts action research from an ‘all interacting dynamic systems science perspective’ in both rural and industrial ecosystems to test his hypothesis and theories. His action research includes sustainability of Organizations, Institutions, Production (primary-secondary-tertiary), Governance, Ecology and Relationships in small ecosystems. He has published over 100 journal articles, cases, monographs, books, and research reports.

Ram Kumar Kakani is Professor and Head, Centre for Governance, IIM Kozhikode. Ram started as a technocrat in the corporate sector and moved towards the academic world with a focus on Finance-Performance-Strategy. Earlier, Ram was faculty at XLRI Jamshedpur and LBSNAA Mussoorie. Abroad, he worked as an academic scholar in Denmark, Nigeria, Singapore, and U.A.E. Lately, Ram has moved towards Leadership domain, with focus on Public Administrators as Director of the Government of India’s NCLDCA. Ram’s areas of interest include Public Policy and Leadership Development.