I: Section Definition of Concepts
Merit System- Public employees hired on the basis of
competence demonstrated through experience,
examination, or education
Human Resources Management- The strategic approach
to the management of an organization's most valued
assets - the people working there who individually and
collectively contribute to the achievement of the
objectives of the business
Public Service Motivation- Offers a standard by which
public workers should be both recruited and socialized
in their organizations missions
Property Tax- A capital tax on property imposed by
municipalities; based on the estimated value of the
property
Enterprise Funds- A fund established to account for
operations that are financed and operated in a manner
similar to private business enterprises
Sales Tax- A tax on sales or on the receipts from sales
Coprovision- Voluntary contributions of money and
other resources to public services
& Coproduction- Voluntary participation of private
individuals and organizations in performing public
services
Government Failure- The public sector analogy to
market failure and occurs when a government
intervention causes a more inefficient allocation of
goods and resources than would occur without that
intervention
Divestiture- The action or process of selling off
subsidiary business interests or investments
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)- Fair treatment
of all applicants and employees without discrimination
on basis of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or disability
Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)- Entitles eligible
employees of covered employers to take unpaid, jobprotected leave for specified family and medical reasons
with continuation of group health insurance coverage
under the same terms and conditions as if the employee
had not taken leave
E-Government- Process of supplying information and
transacting business between the public and government
through the use of automated systems and the internet
network
Whistle-Blower/Blowing- The act of reporting suspected
wrongdoing within an organization. Most federal and
state employees have certain protections when they
report such offenses as corruption and abuse of power,
Patronage- Practice of appointing lower-level
governmental on employees the basis of their
connections to the political party or elected executives
Comparable Worth- The concept that women and men
should receive equal pay for jobs calling for
comparable skill and responsibility
Performance Budget- Schedule of expenditures in
categories according to their policy objectives within
each agency or unit
Progressive Tax- Any tax in which the rate increases as
the amount subject to taxation increases
& Regressive Tax- A tax imposed in such a manner that
the tax rate decreases as the amount subject to taxation
increases
Revenue Bonds- A bond issued by an agency that is
commissioned to finance public works; revenue from
the public property is used to pay off the bond
Privatization- The transfer of ownership of property or
businesses from a government to a privately owned
entity.
Market Failure- Undesirable social and economic
consequences of a freely operating market system
Contracting- Government purchase of goods and
services from a private supplier
Due Process RightsAffirmative Action (AA)- Effort to diversify
workforces by inviting persons of disadvantaged
groups to apply for employment and practicing
preferential hiring for positions for which they meet
basic qualifications
Sexual Harassment- Unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical
conduct of a sexual nature that tends to create a hostile
or offensive work environment.
Judicial Review- Power of courts to determine the
constitutionality of legislative and executive actions
Conflict of Interest- Personal association, investment,
or commitment that inhibits a public employee from
performing in conformity with the laws and the public
good
through state laws vary widely
Social Equity- A social state of affairs in which all
people within a specific society or isolated group have
the same status in a certain respect
Cooptation- An election in which members of a
committee (or similar group) vote in order to fill a
vacancy on that committee or group
Ethics- Moral principles that govern a person's or
group's behavior
Accountability- Process by which public officials
answer to the citizens directly or indirectly for the use
of their powers