Accountability Under Changing Expectations - Dr. Barbara S. Romzek
Dr. Barbara S. Romzek discusses the concept of accountability under changing expectations in public affairs, highlighting the obligations of public employees to various entities and the examples of expectations they are expected to fulfill. The importance of upholding standards, integrity, and achieving public good is emphasized.
- Accountability
- Public Affairs
- Dr. Barbara S. Romzek
- Changing Expectations
- Public Employee Obligations
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Presentation Transcript
Accountability Under Changing Expectations Dr. Barbara S. Romzek Professor, School of Public Affairs, American University Government s Next Generation October 2018
Accountability Answerable for Performance To whom? -- institutions and individuals For what? -- expected performance How? -- strategies and mechanisms Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018 2
Public Employee Obligations to -- Institutions and Individuals The Constitution Law Nation Democracy Organization/Bureaucratic Norms Profession and Professionalism Public Interest/General Welfare Self Family and Friends Middle range organizations (e.g., political parties, community groups, unions) Humanity/World Religion or God 3 Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018
Examples of Obligations/Expectations Expectation Obligation to 1. 2. 3. Uphold constitution and its values Obey, enforce laws, regulations, policies Maintain openness & access to government decision-making Seek to discover & achieve public good Fulfill goals & objectives of agency, protect its position Achieve programmatic ends of those in power Uphold standards & integrity of profession 1. 2. 3. Constitution Laws Democracy 4. 5. 4. 5. Public Interest Agency 6. 7. 6. Political Leadership 7. 8. Profession Clientele 8. Provide services efficiently & effectively 9. Supportive groups 9. Satisfy demands of active stakeholders 10. Personal/self 10. Achieve personal goals and career objectives Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018 4
Changing Expectations Expectation Obligation to 1. 2. 3. Uphold constitution and its values Obey, enforce laws, regulations, policies Maintain openness & access to government decision- making Seek to discover & achieve public good Fulfill goals & objectives of agency, protect its position Achieve programmatic ends of those in power 1. 2. 3. Constitution Laws Democracy 4. Public Interest 4. 5. 5. Agency 6. Political Leadership 6. 7. Profession 7. Uphold standards & integrity of profession 8. Clientele 8. Provide services efficiently & effectively 9. 10. Personal/self Supportive groups 9. 10. Achieve personal goals and career objectives Satisfy demands of active stakeholders 5 Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018
Accountability Some is GOOD, More is BETTER Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018 6
FORMAL ACCOUNTABILITY STRATEGIES SOURCES OF EXPECTATIONS AND/OR CONTROL INTERNAL EXTERNAL LEGAL (oversight & rule of law) HIERARCHICAL (supervision & efficiency) LOW DEGREE OF AUTONOMY PROFESSIONAL (deference & expertise) POLITICAL (attentive to stakeholders & responsiveness) HIGH Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018 Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018 7
INFORMAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Shared Norms a. Trust b. Reciprocity c. Respect turf Possible when goals are shared 2. Facilitative Behaviors a. Sustained communication/information sharing b. Follow up on commitments c. Relationship building 3. Rewards/Sanctions (Accountability) a. Public recognition/reputation b. Favors/future collaboration c. Advance notice/information 4. Challenges/Cross-Pressures a. Staff turnover b. Turf battles/competition c. Tensions between formal and informal accountability Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018 8
Accountability -- under changing expectations Changes in Expectations 1. Political Leadership 2. Agency Leadership/Policy No change in Expectations Constitution Law Democracy Public Interest Profession Clientele Supporting Groups/Stakeholders Personal/Self Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018 9
Employee Options Manage Expectations and Accountability 1. Alert to opportunities to articulate and shape expectations for performance 2. Hold fast to your personal values and priorities regarding obligations 3. Alert to range of formal and informal accountability relationships multiple, diverse, changing expectations multiple accountability mechanisms 4. Choices: loyalty, voice, neglect, exit Government needs talent. Find ways to continue work, manage expectations and accountabilities 10 Romzek NextGov Fedstival October 2018
