Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2024
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Public and Urban Administration
Department
Urban and Public Affairs
First Advisor
Alejandro Rodriguez, PhD
Second Advisor
Emily Nwakpuda, PhD
Third Advisor
Karabi Bezboruah
Abstract
This dissertation is composed of three separate but interrelated papers that examine the role of core values in public administration and public policy and how they show up at the societal, bureaucratic, and individual levels to inform the identification of the use of values, engaging proper awareness of how these values impact public sector actions, and how individuals can engage the right values frameworks in the face of conflict in various public and public service contexts. The first paper takes a societal look at core values via a systemic literature review on American morality policies; policies that inspire great debate not because of their intrinsic value, logically based reasoning, or data-informed decisions, but instead focus on the symbolic messages these policies convey to a polity about what core values are held in higher esteem by a society. The second paper analyzes where bureaucrats believe the locus of ultimate responsibility for change lies after they publicly contest a policy’s enforcement, compliance, or regulation on the grounds of moral and ethical considerations. Finally, the third paper proposes a conceptual definitional framework of morally conscious decision-making; a concept that can be used by individual public administrators to make values-based decisions when facing a dilemma, to ensure moral engagement in public sector work. Together these three papers help illustrate the influence of core values on public policy and administrative issues.
Keywords
core values, morality, public service, political discourse analysis, morally conscious decision making, public service values, contientious objection, bureaucracy
Disciplines
Public Administration | Public Affairs | Public Policy
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Brandt, Emily; Rodriguez, Alejandro; Bezboruah, Karabi; and Nwakpuda, Emily, "Core Values in Public Administration and Policy: Three Levels of Evaluation in the Public Sector" (2024). Public Affairs Dissertations. 165.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/publicaffairs_dissertations/165
Comments
I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to my entire committee. I feel remarkably fortunate to have had such talented researchers and educators in my corner giving me the tools, inspiration, support, and encouragement I need to succeed in this academic endeavor. Dr. Alejandro Rodriguez, thank you for being a remarkable chair and providing essential guidance, encouragement, and tools every step of the way. I will forever be appreciative for landing in your class that first semester and setting a remarkable foundation for this transformative experience. I have been challenged and inspired by your direction and have been thankful for every minute of your mentorship. Dr. Emily Nwakpuda, thank you for providing the encouragement I needed to pursue my strengths and the tools I needed to not let my weaknesses define me. I am so appreciative of the time you spent with me, and I am honored to have learned so much from you. Finally, Dr. Karabi Bezboruah, thank you for being a beacon of solid leadership for this entire program and for being a supportive force every time I needed it most. Thank you.