No. 58-59 (2010): Civil Service: Quality and Innovation in Public Administration

The dynamic environment of government administration, the modernization of public management and the improvement of the governance of its institutions, constitute a continuous challenge, and should be a priority for political and public managers, combining new practices that pursue effectiveness, with the promotion and guarantee of the principles and values of public service.

In this sense, the Public Administrations of the Region are making efforts to promote a transforming culture with the adoption of strategies for quality, innovation, rationalization and improvement of public management, to fully meet the needs and expectations of citizens with justice, equity, objectivity and efficiency in the use of public resources.

Both quality and innovation in public management promote change and the formulation of creative improvement solutions. Learning and innovation are determinants for increasing quality and sustainability in the fulfillment of the objectives of public administration. Continuous improvement and innovation facilitate the development of new services, processes and public benefits, as well as their rationalization, simplification and standardization, thus increasing the credibility and trust of citizens in government.

Quality public management implies a public function with observance of public values, oriented by the vocation of public service, proficiency, honesty, good faith and mutual trust, solidarity and social co-responsibility, respect for people, scrupulousness in the management of public resources, and the preeminence of the public interest over the private one.

On the other hand, it must be capable of rebuilding public administration, redefining its functions and its form of action, increasing the capacity of state management (governance), through strategic professionalization, strengthening of management instruments and the improvement and performance in the elaboration and implementation of public policies. In addition, it must rely on a body of public servants with knowledge and experience, the main and very valuable capital of the Public Administration, whose contributions are embodied in initiatives for the continuous improvement of quality in public management.

Consequently, quality and innovation in public management are oriented to good governance. Their application is a matter of intelligence to face specific problems and to use the appropriate tools to meet the transformation needs of the administrative apparatus, as a result of the demands of the citizens, which in turn, legitimizes the activity of the public sector.