Compare & Contrast Public Management and Private Management

Public Management and Private Management
Jeremiah Sadler
University of Maryland University College
Author’s Note:
This essay was created on assignment for WRTG 101S at The University of Maryland University College
Abstract
Public sector managers deal and control the interests of many people especially the nation and require political compromise. The private managers serve groups and individuals while catering to narrower needs with profit being a core objective. The training of private and public managers reflects the objectives that influence how the managers and administrators carry out their duties. This is also reflected in leadership style and motivation profiles of public and private managers as public managers consider public interests, needs and at times require public consultation. The differences between public management and private management are explored.
Public Management and Private Management
The dynamics of public management are increasingly similar to those of private management. The question of whether to select professional managers or public administrators with experience in leading organizations has gained interest in public management as there is a need to eliminate red tape (Boyne, 2002). Managers need to ensure greater efficiency without compromising customer service and fulfill their organizational goals. Reforms in the public sector have sought to emphasize the need for business-like behavior and quality management has been the case in private management. The differences between public and private management are reflected in the objectives of private and public sector organizations.
Private Managers are more likely to study business administration and business oriented programs in their training. This differs with public management because of the belief that private management is concerned with attaining financial goals and the public manager seek to achieve the established goals (Andersen, 2010). Training focuses on carrying out administrative and management aspects of organizations. Research on private management has mostly focused on the role that senior and upper-level managers’ play, but research and training of public managers recognize the importance of supervisors. Additionally, there are more professional programs targeting private managers including executive management and leadership programs.
The management functions are important in both public and private management, and the public management programs also emphasize professionalizing public management. Nonetheless, the public managers tend to go through the public management programs, and as they serve the public their objective is not necessarily to make profit. One aspect of private management that links the two is that the management functions are common. Public management is different from private management. Not only is there training in government, but there is also emphasis on managerial performance.
Another aspect related to training is professionalism is the leadership roles among public and private managers. Boyne (2002 ) highlighted that the private managers are professionals, and in private management is common to seek ‘outsiders’ depending on whether they have de...