The Quest for Responsibility by Mark Bovens

The Quest for Responsibility by Mark Bovens

The search for responsibility in complex organisations often seems an impossible undertaking. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach combining law, social science, ethics and organisational design, Mark Bovens analyses the reasons for this, and offers possible solutions. He begins by examining the problem of 'many hands' - because so many people contribute in so many different ways, it is very difficult to determine who is accountable for organisational behaviour. Four possible solutions - corporate, hierarchical, collective and individual accountability - are analysed from normative, empirical and practical perspectives. Bovens argues that individual accountability is the most promising solution, but only if individuals have the chance to behave responsibly. The book then explores the implications of this approach. What does it mean to be a 'responsible' employee or official? When is it legitimate to disobey the orders of superiors? What institutional designs might be most appropriate?

"..The Quest for Responsibility is thought provoking and demands careful reading. It may well serve as a springboard for organization theorists to develop research propositions." Marcia P. Miceli, Administrative Science Quarterly

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780521628983
ISBN 10	0521628989
Title	The Quest for Responsibility
Author	Mark Bovens
Series	Theories Of Institutional Design
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	1998-03-12
Number of pages	268
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable