Interpreting lived experiences: The dilemmas of public sector leaders

Abstract

Dilemmas are a useful concept for exploring leadership practices and decision-making process. Preserving the integrity of the state and yet to be representative-this classic dilemma is faced by Bangladeshi Public Sector Leaders (PSLs). Taking an interpretive approach, this research presents empirical insights in an important subfield of public administration, namely, lived experiences of PSL about the public sector reforms and governance practice. The researchers administered in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). What emerged as the salient dilemmas of PSLs are: the dilemma of public sector leadership: the colonial legacy, power relationship dilemma in the system of government, domestic reform strategy versus donor reform strategy, public interest versus vested interest and lastly, commitment versus service to multiple stakeholders. It also identified that there is a significant presence of NPM overtones in the PSL response towards the reform programme that illustrates the prominent features of decentralization and bureaucratic entrepreneurship.

Sustainable Community Development as a Main Motive of Good Governance System and Ethical Presentation in a Developing Nation

“…Power disruptions in many parts of the world result in the stoppage of many mega energy projects resulting in lease infrastructure building (Hussain et al, 2023), adversely affecting the lives of millions worldwide. This end-of-line failure depicts the incompetence of the public sector in dealing with the issues of the masses in socially deprived areas (Masud & Hossain, 2021). Once the natural resources are driven for the benefit of the people rather than confining them to the high gentry in a country, they reflect the high performance of the public sector and can result in the sustainable community development of that region.…”

Whistleblower protection in developing countries: a review of challenges and prospects

“…Similarly, the disruptions caused by donor-driven market-oriented institutional reforms have worsened the practical functionality of these institutions in developing countries, (e.g. Masud and Hossain 2021), causing problems of market failure like corruption such as kickbacks and tenderpreneurship that arise from contracting out of public service. These developing challenges are further typified by the grassroots absence or inadequate government policy and administrative instruments, as well as the lack of autonomy and political will to restructure local administrative systems by local actors that would appropriately respond to local contexts.…”

“…Despite the reforms, developing countries' colonial pasts still influence the bureaucratic leadership and state traditions (Hyden 2021;Masud and Hossain 2021). These countries are yet to develop functional or dynamic democratic administrative systems for effective whistleblowing and whistleblower protection legislation.…”

Public Service, Leadership and Innovation in South Africa

“…Above we mention ubuntu as one form of African leadership that can be utilizedwe also see the nearness between ubuntu and servant leadership. To improve the South African communities we need two things on the one hand is quality leadership whilst on the other it is using the relevant leadership strategies, and these are transformative leadership and governance framework that [23] spells out. Msila [12] writes of critical qualities for organizations such as solidarity, respect, justice, dependability which are all part of alternative leadership strategies.…”

“…These are also qualities that can enhance public service leadership. Masud and Hossain [23] in their study on lived experiences of public service leaders discovered that leadership practices are usually thwarted by dilemmas. These dilemmas include colonial legacy, power relationship, dilemma in the system of government as well as commitment versus service to multiple stakeholders [19].…”