The Bureau of Municipal Research and the Development of a Professional Public Service

Abstract

This article explores the professionalization of public administration in terms of its relation to the New York Bureau of Municipal Research. The formation of the New York Bureau of Municipal Research in 1907 served as the catalyst for the creation and expansion of a professional public service. Although public administration has failed to transform into a profession, this article shows that the Bureau contributed to professionalization by (a) developing a body of knowledge and theory for the field, (b) developing a school in which to train persons in that knowledge, and (c) promoting a place where the training and knowledge can be applied.

Does the Charter Form Improve the Fiscal Health of Counties?

“…As a discipline, public administration has always been concerned with the fi scal health of local governments (Dahlberg 1966;Fleischman and Marquette 1986). In the fi eld's infancy, the New York Bureau of Municipal Research paid particular attention to the fi nances of local governments, believing that it was the responsibility of a government as steward to use its resources in an effi cient and eff ective manner (McDonald 2010;Stivers 2000). In more recent years, the issue of fi scal health has reemerged because of the Great Recession (Scorsone, Levine, and Justice 2013).…”

Exorcising Our Demons: Comments on a New Direction for Public Administration Theory

“…Founded as the Bureau of City Betterment in 1905 Dahlberg, 1966) and incorporated as the Bureau of Municipal Research in 1906(McDonald, 2010Stivers, 2000), the New York Bureau of Municipal Research operated on the belief that government administrators act ethically and efficiently when the citizenry are informed (Beard, 1919). As the first attempt in New York City to evaluate a government agency's operation to increase efficiency, it was believed that applying Taylor's principles of scientific management to city government would increase in the awareness of the citizenry to the activities of their elected officials and public administrators.…”

“…The success of the Bureau in New York City led to the formation of similarly structured bureaus throughout the United States, establishing the survey method as the foundation of administrative methodology (Dahlberg, 1966;McDonald, 2010). To meet this increased demand for experienced staff to run the new organizations, and the associated drain on their own staff, the Bureau establish a training school in 1911.…”

“…By studying public budgeting, accounting, law, and municipal politics; graduates of the training school were ready to address the current problems in government faced at the time, but also prepared for addressing future concerns. To assist in the sharing of knowledge, the Bureau, its staff, and its graduates published some of the first research on public management, and produced the first public administration textbook in the country (McDonald, 2010). Ultimately, the experience of the Bureau and their training school led to the creation of the first public administration programs at universities in the United States.…”

Professional Identification and City Managers: An Analysis of a National Survey

“…Professionalism as a movement in public administration can be seen through professional associations such as ASPA, ICMA, the National Academy of Public Administration, and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) (Fox, 1996;McDonald, 2010). Professional associations can help to develop skills and establish both social and professional standards for the city manager (Svara & Terry, 2009).…”