Public Administration Flashcards

Which management theory emphasizes that there is no single best way to organize and that the optimal approach depends on the environment?

Answer: Contingency theory

Contingency theory holds that the best management approach depends on internal and external situational factors.

A municipality's 'general fund' is BEST described as:

Answer: The primary operating fund for day-to-day services

The general fund accounts for the primary governmental functions and day-to-day operating expenditures of a municipality.

Which document formally authorizes a municipality to exist and defines its basic powers?

Answer: City charter

The city charter is the foundational legal document that establishes the municipality and defines its governmental powers and structure.

The concept of 'administrative discretion' refers to:

Answer: The authority of officials to make judgment calls within legal bounds

Administrative discretion is the latitude granted to public administrators to make decisions within the boundaries set by law and policy.

When a city council adopts a resolution, it is typically used to:

Answer: Express official positions or authorize specific one-time actions

Resolutions express the council's official position, recognize individuals, or authorize specific non-legislative actions, unlike ordinances that create permanent law.

Which performance measurement concept compares actual outputs to planned outputs?

Answer: Effectiveness

Effectiveness measures the degree to which a program achieves its intended goals by comparing actual results to planned targets.

In public sector human resources, a 'position classification plan' is designed to:

Answer: Group jobs with similar duties and qualifications into common classes

A position classification plan organizes positions into categories based on comparable duties, responsibilities, and required qualifications.