Managing Human Behavior in Public and Nonprofit Organizations

“[Managing Human Behavior] condenses a wide swath of information into easy-to-read pages that students will enjoy. . . [It] covers a breadth of topics that are important and relevant.”

“This is a well-thought-out and well-researched textbook on human behavior and relations in organizations. . . . The extensive use of case studies and examples makes the material easy to grasp and apply.” 

“[This book] is a successful presentation of many psychological theories . . . an excellent synthesis of psychological literature useful in analyzing the public sector.”

“This text is a great work to use for graduate-level learners looking to advance their knowledge and careers in the public sector.” 

Robert B. Denhardt is Professor of Public Administration in the Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. He was previously Regents Professor and Director of the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University.

Dr. Denhardt is a past president of the American Society for Public Administration, a nationwide organization of academics and practitioners in the field of public administration at all levels of government. He is also a member of the prestigious National Academy of Public Administration, the fields equivalent of the National Academy of Science. He was the 2004 recipient of ASPAs Dwight Waldo Award, celebrating lifetime achievement in scholarship in public administration.

Dr. Denhardt has published a dozen books, including Just Plain Good Management, The Dance of Leadership, The New Public Service, Managing Human Behavior in Public and Nonprofit Organizations, The Pursuit of Significance, In the Shadow of Organization, Theories of Public Organization, and Public Administration: An Action Orientation.

Janet V. Denhardt is the Chester A. Newland Professor of Public Administration in the Price School at the University of Southern California. Dr. Denhardt is a member of the National Academy of Public Administration. She has published seven books, including The New Public Service, The Dance of Leadership, Organizational Behavior, and Street-Level Leadership, as well as numerous articles in such journals as Public Administration Review, Administration & Society, and the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. Her teaching and research interests focus on organizational behavior, leadership, and governance.

Maria P. Aristigueta is the president of the American Society for Public Administration, the Charles P. Messick Professor of Public Administration, the Associate Director of the School of Public Policy and Administration, and the Senior Policy Fellow in the Institute of Public Administration at the University of Delaware. Her teaching and research interests are primarily in the areas of public sector management and include performance measurement, strategic planning, and organizational behavior. She has published numerous journal articles, book chapters, and books, including Managing for Results in State Government, Managing Human Behavior in Public and Nonprofit Organizations, Managing and Measuring Performance in Public and Nonprofit Organizations: An Integrated Approach, and Organizational Behavior, and she was coeditor of the International Handbook of Practice-Based Performance Management. Her doctorate is from the University...

Preface 1 Organizational Behavior as a Way of Thinking and Acting The Roots of Organizational Behavior More Recent Developments Does Good Management Make a Difference? Themes and Purposes of This Book 2 Knowing and Managing Yourself Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting Appendix 2.A: Reddin's Personal Values Inventory Appendix 2.B: Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (FIRO) Appendix 2.C: Career Orientation Inventory Appendix 2.D: Emotional Intelligence 3 Fostering Creativity and Innovation Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 4 Managing Stress Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 5 Decision-Making Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 6 Motivation and Engagement Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 7 Leadership in Public Organizations Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 8 Power and Organizational Politics Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 9 Communicating Effectively With Others Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 10 Working in Groups and Teams Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 11 Managing Conflict Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 12 Organizational Culture and Change Ways of Thinking Ways of Acting 13 Representing the Organization "On the Outside" Ways of Thinking Ways of Actin 14 Managing Behavior in the Public Interest The New Public Service Conclusion References Index About the Authors