The Commercialization of the Australian Public Sector: Competence,Elitism or Default in Management Education?

Abstract

Briefly outlines recent developments in the commercialization of the public sector at the federal level of government in Australia. After six years of planning and implementation, debate continues over whether the dramatic changes in practice are achieving the proclaimed ends of enhanced efficiency, economy and effectiveness or are merely subverting equity and the once considered essential traditions associated with Westminster‐derived public administration. The theoretical, ideological and epistemological problems associated with economics being the driving intellectual academic discipline for commercialization are confronted. Within the context of full privatization in Australia yet to occur, organizational development, change and management education and training associated with the commercialization of public agencies are addressed in detail. Discusses a human resource development agenda and a management educator′s cognitive map for facilitating change processes associated with widespread drives for commercialization. External tendering for management education and management training curriculum emerges as a novel development in Australian public managements′ search for quantifiable behavioural outcomes.