Mark Moore is a renowned academic and thought leader in the field of public management, particularly known for his influential work on strategic management in the public sector. While not a finance specialist in the traditional sense (like a portfolio manager or investment banker), Moore’s impact on public finance stems from his focus on how public organizations can effectively allocate resources and achieve desired outcomes. His contributions lie in promoting strategic thinking that links resource allocation to publicly valuable results.
Moore is the Hauser Professor of Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He’s been a faculty member there for decades, shaping the thinking of countless students entering public service. His background isn’t explicitly in finance, but rather in criminal justice and organizational behavior, areas he studied at Harvard. This unique lens allowed him to approach public management with a different perspective, emphasizing the importance of defining and achieving public value.
His most influential work is arguably his book, “Creating Public Value: Strategic Management in Government.” This book challenged the prevailing view of public management as simply efficient administration. Instead, Moore argued that public managers should act more like entrepreneurs, actively seeking out opportunities to create value for citizens. This involves understanding the political and social context, engaging stakeholders, and aligning resources with strategic goals.
The concept of “public value” is central to Moore’s work. It refers to the outcomes and benefits that citizens derive from government services and programs. He argues that public managers must clearly define what public value they are trying to create and then develop strategies to achieve it. This requires a deep understanding of citizens’ needs and priorities, as well as the political and social constraints that shape public action.
Moore’s framework for strategic management in the public sector involves three key elements: the “strategic triangle.” This triangle consists of: (1) Public Value: Defining the desired outcomes and benefits for citizens; (2) Legitimacy and Support: Building political support and stakeholder buy-in for the proposed strategies; and (3) Operational Capacity: Ensuring that the organization has the resources, skills, and processes to effectively deliver the desired outcomes.
While not directly involved in the technical aspects of public finance, Moore’s work profoundly influences how public funds are allocated and managed. His emphasis on public value and strategic management encourages public officials to prioritize investments that will generate the greatest benefit for citizens, promoting greater accountability and transparency in government spending. He prompts government entities to justify budgetary requests based on their contribution to the creation of public value, thus promoting a more results-oriented approach to public finance.
In summary, Mark Moore’s contribution to the field of public finance lies not in direct financial management, but in providing a powerful framework for strategic decision-making that links resource allocation to the creation of public value. He emphasizes the importance of aligning public spending with citizen needs and political realities to maximize the impact of government programs.