Question

Consider the following statements about Luther Gulick’s contribution to public administration:

1. He introduced the POSDCORB framework to define the scope of public administration.

2. His framework includes Budgeting, which encompasses fiscal planning, accounting, and control.

3. He argued that POSDCORB techniques are sufficient to address all administrative challenges.
   

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

Luther Gulick's Contribution to Public Administration: POSDCORB

Introduction to Luther Gulick

• Luther Gulick (1892-1993) was a prominent American expert in public administration and one of the leading figures of the classical school of management theory.

• He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the understanding of executive functions and the scope of public administration, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s.

The POSDCORB Framework

• Gulick, along with Lyndall Urwick, introduced the POSDCORB acronym in their influential 1937 report, "Papers on the Science of Administration."

• This framework was developed to define and categorize the various functions and activities of an executive in an organization, thereby providing a practical guide for administrators.

• It sought to articulate the scope of public administration by breaking down the administrative process into distinct, manageable functions. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.

• Each letter in POSDCORB represents a specific administrative function:

  • P - Planning: Working out in broad outline the things that need to be done and the methods for doing them to accomplish the purpose set for the enterprise.

  • O - Organizing: The establishment of the formal structure of authority through which work subdivisions are arranged, defined, and coordinated for the objective in view.

  • S - Staffing: The whole personnel function of bringing in and training the staff and maintaining favorable conditions of work.

  • D - Directing: The continuous task of making decisions and embodying them in specific and general orders and instructions and serving as the leader of the enterprise.

  • CO - Coordinating: The all-important duty of interrelating the various parts of the work.

  • R - Reporting: Keeping those to whom the executive is responsible informed as to what is going on, which thus includes keeping himself and his subordinates informed through records, research, and inspection.

  • B - Budgeting: All that goes with fiscal planning, accounting, and control. This indeed encompasses fiscal planning, accounting, and control, as stated. Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.

Limitations and Criticisms of POSDCORB

• While POSDCORB provided a clear, functional classification of executive duties, it faced significant criticism.

• One major criticism was that it focused primarily on the "tools" or "process" of administration rather than the "substance" or "purpose" of administration. It didn't adequately account for the specific policy areas, the socio-political context, or human factors.

• Critics argued that administrative challenges are often complex and multifactorial, requiring more than just a set of universal techniques. Issues like policy formulation, public participation, ethical considerations, and political dynamics are not explicitly covered by the functional components of POSDCORB.

• Therefore, the argument that POSDCORB techniques are sufficient to address all administrative challenges is incorrect. It is a useful framework for understanding executive functions but not a panacea for every administrative problem. Statement 3 is incorrect.