Public Administration Theory: Evolution and Application

by Staci M. Zavattaro (Editor)

Overview

What is theory? What do theorists do? Doctoral students and academics often engage with theory, but there is sometimes misunderstanding about what theory is, does, and explains. This book explores these questions, giving students and academics alike in public administration and management an idea of the breadth of depth of theory use, development, and application.

The journal, Administrative Theory & Praxis (ATP), has for more than four decades explored these questions and more within its pages. The aim of the volume is to demystify the word ‘theory’ and the chapters in this edited volume showcase the various ways in which ATP authors have explored their own ways of using and describing administrative theory. Through this volume, readers will have a broad understanding of how theory shapes thinking and application in public administration and management.

The chapters in this book were originally published in Administrative Theory & Praxis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032704166
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/29/2025
Pages:	116
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Staci M. Zavattaro is Professor of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida, Florida, USA. She served as editor-in-chief of Administrative Theory & Praxis from 2018 to 2023. Her books include Cities for Sale, Place Branding Through Phases of the Image, and Social Media to Government: Theory and Practice (edited with Dr. Thomas Bryer).

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Reckoning with Theoretical Research: A Heuristic for Gauging and Writing Public Administration Theory 2. Pariahs No More? On the Status of Theory and Theorists in Contemporary Public Administration 3. The University in the Knowledge Economy: Academic Capitalism and Its Implications for Doctoral Students in Public Administration 4. Advice to a Young Person Concerning Theory 5. Public Administration Theory as a Discourse 6. Back to the Future: Theorists as Facilitators of Voice, Yesterday and Today 7. Tools and Toys: Theory as Practical Play 8. Intersubjective Voices: The Role of the “Theorist” 9. What's the Use in Being Practical? Conclusion