Authors: CHRISTOS PAPAGEORGIOU, ZAXARIAS DERMATIS, DEMETRIOS COMNENOS, PANAGIOTIS FARLEKAS, Panagiotis Liargovas

Title: PATHOLOGIES OF GREEK PUBLIC SECTOR AND PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

This paper attempts to investigate the pathologies of Greek Public Sector, using existing measurable indicators internationally. It initially appears that the current size of the Greek public sector, compared to other member-states of the European Union, is not by itself a pathogenicity reason. However, the investigation of certain quality characteristics, such as Government Effectiveness and Corruption Control, via corresponding indicators, reveals significant problems. Negative results are also shown by indicators for the transition from Traditional Bureaucratic Administration to New Public Management. Unfavourable for the country are the Meritocracy indicators for the Greek public sector. Finally, the level of training is not the desirable, despite a small increase of the higher education graduates recently.

In order to overcome such malfunctions of the Greek Public Sector it is proposed to pass through four main support pillars for its transition to the New Public Management, i.e. a) reorganization of administrative structures, b) optimal utilization of human resources, c) essential rationalization of administrative functions and d) enhancement of transparency and accountability. The use of the method of Table Balanced Scorecard, tailored to the needs of public administration, and a Total Quality System ISO 9001 in Public Administration Services, could be used for this purpose.

JEL: H110, K420, M120

Keywords:  Government Effectiveness, Corruption Control, Meritocracy, Business Administration, New Public Management