According to this view, public administration has
- Comprehensive Scope :Â public administration encompasses all the activities which are undertaken to accomplish the given objective. Therefore, it is the sum total of managerial, technical, clerical and manual activities.Â
- Inclusive : administration constitutes the activities of all persons from top to bottom. Eg DM to PeonÂ
- Supporter : L.D. White and Dimock.
- Contextual Variability: Administration varies based on the subject matter of the relevant agency, differing between different spheres of operation.
The POSDCORB view was advocated by Luther Gulick. It emphasizes seven key elements or functions of administration: POSDCORB – Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting.
However, It’s criticized for prioritizing techniques over essential subject matter knowledge.
- Not All Agencies Are Alike: The idea that all administrative agencies face the same problems overlooks the fact that each agency deals with its own set of challenges.
- Specialized Services vs. Standard Tools:Â While POSDCORB deals with standard administrative tools, the essence of administration lies in providing specialized services like defense, health, and education etc. Each service requires its own techniques and the development of a tailored ‘local POSDCORB’ based on its subject matter.
Thus, Public administration must address both administrative techniques and substantive concerns. As Lewis Meriam put it, it’s like a pair of scissors: one blade represents administrative techniques (POSDCORB), and the other represents knowledge of the subject matter.
