Overview
This study examines the interface of development performance and the bureaucracy, together with organizational and political behaviour. An analysis of development performance suggests that Indian bureaucracy has been neither 'goal-directed' nor 'action-oriented' as far as alleviation of poverty, the promotion of social equity and social development of the people are concerned. The author has collected wide-ranging data through interviews with officers of the Indian Administration Service at the central government secretariat and with officers from various states. He derives six important development-related behavioural orientations. Significant inter-relations between political behaviour and work behaviour also emerge.
Editorials
From the Publisher
'Prayag Mehta's book... is a contribution to the study of a subject of burning interest for hundreds of millions of the people of India. This book, therefore deserves to find a place in all college and university libraries and on the bookshelf of scholars of economics and sociology.' - Management and Labour Studies'The study has a wealth of data that have been presented. They provide a strong empirical basis for many of the bureaucratic perceptions that have been discussed since the beginning of the planning era.... The book has reported findings that are of considerable interest to policy-makers and students of bureaucracy. It is a rich source of knowlegde for those searching for a sophisticated use of multivariate techniques for analysing attitudinal data.' - Indian Journal of Social Science
'The book under review is likely to generate a great deal of interest among policy makers, bureaucrats and academics. The book is based on an empirical study conducted by the author and throws light on the organizational and work behaviour of civil servants.... this book is a welcome addition to the literature in the organizational Behaviour Area.... The author deserves to be congratulated for a solid contribution to the OB Area.' - IIMB Management Review
'This very interesting and informative book is an indictment of the Indian bureaucracy.' - Organization Studies
'On the whole, the book is a standard treatise and will serve the cause of better developmental strategies for India's development in years to come.' - Journal of Contemporary Asia Publishers
'The study highlights the critical impact of bureaucracy, as translated into operation and dynamics of administration...this book is relevant and valuable for students of development administration.' - Vikalpa
'the study is full of insights into India's contemporary bureaucratic culture.' - Indian Journal of Political Science
'a pioneering analytical effort' - Indian Journal of Public Administration