text: structure andstaff), reduction ofresources allocated topublicorganizations, systematic training anddevelopment ofhumanresources, improvement ofefficiency, economy andproductivity indevelopment administration andimproved evaluation and accountability forpublic sectoractivities. Thedominant themesunderlying those demands areimproving theinstitutional andmanagement capacities ofnational institutions, redefining theroleofthepublicsector andtrimming ittoasizeat whichitcanfunction effectively andapplying, asfaraspossible, thediscipline derived frommarket competition intheoperation andcontrol oftheactivities in thepublicsector. 21.4Developing countries havebeenresponding tosuchdemands byadopting various approaches andprogrammes, whichwerereviewed bytheninthmeeting ofexperts on theUnited Nations programme inpublicadministration andfinance inMarch1989. Onesetfocused uponareview ofissues andpriorities inthepublicsector andthe needforaperiodic review oftheroleofthepublicsectorineconomic development; another setplaced emphasis ontheapproaches andmechanisms for policyanalysis andevaluation ingovernment. -3- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library21.5Manydeveloping countries havealsobeen re-exam~n~ng theirstructural and organizational arrangements inthecontext oftheurgent needtoimprove public management systems andenhance theirproductivity. Increased emphasis onthe transparency ofgovernment operations anddemocratization hasencouraged Governments toadoptvarious formsofdecentralization, localself-government and participatory programmes. Alongwithstructural andorganizational improvements, manydeveloping countries havemadeefforts towards increasing theuseof information technologies, particularly computer-based information systems, for improvement ofproductivity andperformance inpublicadministration. Thereis increased concern withandinterest incomputerized information systems, asmany Governments experience problems associated witheffective useofinformation technologies. 21.6Theneedtoenhance institutional andmanagement capacities ofGovernments of developing countries toformulate andimplement appropriate development policies andprogrammes hasalsobeenrecognized byinternational development agencies. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)hasinitiated aManagement Development Programme, underwhichitisassisting developing countries toachieve sustainable improvements inthepublicsectorthrough theenhancement oftheirmanagement capacities andcapabilities. TheWorldBankhasalsoinitiated aprogramme of reforming publicsector management through technical assistance projects, developed inmostcasesinassociation withthestructural adjustment andstabilization programme inaspecific country. 21.7Partly asrequired bystabi1ization programmes introduced bytheWorldBank andpartly byincreased demandforgovernment finances, manydeveloping countries areinitiating efforts toreformthebudgetary process andareintroducing policies andmeasures forincreased domestic financial resource mobilization. Those measures include harmonizing development andtherecurrent budget andstrengthening budgetcapacities, reforming taxpolicies andprocedures andimproving tax,customs andexciseadministration, including training ofofficials. 21.8Alongwithbudgetary reform andimproved resource mobilization, Governments realize theneedtoapplythestandards andtechniques fromtheprivate sectorin publicservices (forexample, health, education andsupplyofdevelopment inputs), tointroduce selective privatization ofgovernment commercial activities andto achieve improved performance oftheretained publicenterprises. Thoseactions are related totheconcerns ofGovernments forraising productivity inthepublic service andforimproving theefficiency andaccountability oftheiroperations. Theconcern foraccountability alsoincludes suchissuesaswell-developed
analysis: The text discusses various approaches and programs aimed at improving public administration and management in developing countries. It highlights the need for institutional and management capacity building, budgetary reform, and the application of private sector standards and techniques in public services. The text also touches on the importance of transparency, accountability, and decentralization. Given the focus on public administration and management, it is likely that the text falls under the categories related to governance and economic development.